Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 738,455,227?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 73845522723 x 32106749
Negative: -1 x -738455227-23 x -32106749


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 738,455,227?

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 738,455,227, 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.

1 738,455,227
-1 -738,455,227

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 738,455,227.

Example:
1 x 738,455,227 = 738,455,227
and
-1 x -738,455,227 = 738,455,227
Notice both answers equal 738,455,227

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 738,455,227 and divide it by 2:

738,455,227 ÷ 2 = 369,227,613.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 369,227,613.5 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:

1 738,455,227
-1 -738,455,227

Now, we try dividing 738,455,227 by 3:

738,455,227 ÷ 3 = 246,151,742.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 246,151,742.3333 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:

1 738,455,227
-1 -738,455,227

Let's try dividing by 4:

738,455,227 ÷ 4 = 184,613,806.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 184,613,806.75 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:

1 738,455,227
-1 738,455,227
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12332,106,749738,455,227
-1-23-32,106,749-738,455,227

More Examples

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