Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 482,866,547?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 482866547
Negative: -1 x -482866547


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 482,866,547?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 482,866,547, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 482,866,547
-1 -482,866,547

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 482,866,547.

Example:
1 x 482,866,547 = 482,866,547
and
-1 x -482,866,547 = 482,866,547
Notice both answers equal 482,866,547

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 482,866,547 and divide it by 2:

482,866,547 ÷ 2 = 241,433,273.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 241,433,273.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 482,866,547
-1 -482,866,547

Now, we try dividing 482,866,547 by 3:

482,866,547 ÷ 3 = 160,955,515.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 160,955,515.6667 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 482,866,547
-1 -482,866,547

Let's try dividing by 4:

482,866,547 ÷ 4 = 120,716,636.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 120,716,636.75 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 482,866,547
-1 482,866,547
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

1482,866,547
-1-482,866,547

More Examples

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