Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 68,138,149?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 68138149547 x 124567
Negative: -1 x -68138149-547 x -124567


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 68,138,149?

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 68,138,149, 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 68,138,149
-1 -68,138,149

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 68,138,149.

Example:
1 x 68,138,149 = 68,138,149
and
-1 x -68,138,149 = 68,138,149
Notice both answers equal 68,138,149

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 68,138,149 and divide it by 2:

68,138,149 ÷ 2 = 34,069,074.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 34,069,074.5 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 68,138,149
-1 -68,138,149

Now, we try dividing 68,138,149 by 3:

68,138,149 ÷ 3 = 22,712,716.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 22,712,716.3333 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 68,138,149
-1 -68,138,149

Let's try dividing by 4:

68,138,149 ÷ 4 = 17,034,537.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 17,034,537.25 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 68,138,149
-1 68,138,149
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1547124,56768,138,149
-1-547-124,567-68,138,149

More Examples

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