Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 721,733,371?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 72173337143 x 1678449759 x 122327692537 x 284483
Negative: -1 x -721733371-43 x -16784497-59 x -12232769-2537 x -284483


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 721,733,371?

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 721,733,371, 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.

1 721,733,371
-1 -721,733,371

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 721,733,371.

Example:
1 x 721,733,371 = 721,733,371
and
-1 x -721,733,371 = 721,733,371
Notice both answers equal 721,733,371

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 721,733,371 and divide it by 2:

721,733,371 ÷ 2 = 360,866,685.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 360,866,685.5 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:

1 721,733,371
-1 -721,733,371

Now, we try dividing 721,733,371 by 3:

721,733,371 ÷ 3 = 240,577,790.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 240,577,790.3333 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:

1 721,733,371
-1 -721,733,371

Let's try dividing by 4:

721,733,371 ÷ 4 = 180,433,342.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 180,433,342.75 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:

1 721,733,371
-1 721,733,371
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

143592,537284,48312,232,76916,784,497721,733,371
-1-43-59-2,537-284,483-12,232,769-16,784,497-721,733,371

More Examples

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