Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 538,858,448?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5388584482 x 2694292244 x 1347146128 x 6735730616 x 33678653
Negative: -1 x -538858448-2 x -269429224-4 x -134714612-8 x -67357306-16 x -33678653


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 538,858,448?

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 538,858,448, 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.

1 538,858,448
-1 -538,858,448

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 538,858,448.

Example:
1 x 538,858,448 = 538,858,448
and
-1 x -538,858,448 = 538,858,448
Notice both answers equal 538,858,448

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 538,858,448 and divide it by 2:

538,858,448 ÷ 2 = 269,429,224

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 269,429,224 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

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

1 2 269,429,224 538,858,448
-1 -2 -269,429,224 -538,858,448

Now, we try dividing 538,858,448 by 3:

538,858,448 ÷ 3 = 179,619,482.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 179,619,482.6667 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 2 269,429,224 538,858,448
-1 -2 -269,429,224 -538,858,448

Let's try dividing by 4:

538,858,448 ÷ 4 = 134,714,612

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 134,714,612 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

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

1 2 4 134,714,612 269,429,224 538,858,448
-1 -2 -4 -134,714,612 -269,429,224 538,858,448
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481633,678,65367,357,306134,714,612269,429,224538,858,448
-1-2-4-8-16-33,678,653-67,357,306-134,714,612-269,429,224-538,858,448

More Examples

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