Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 743,347,321?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 74334732117 x 4372631343 x 17287147731 x 1016891
Negative: -1 x -743347321-17 x -43726313-43 x -17287147-731 x -1016891


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 743,347,321?

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 743,347,321, 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.

1 743,347,321
-1 -743,347,321

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 743,347,321.

Example:
1 x 743,347,321 = 743,347,321
and
-1 x -743,347,321 = 743,347,321
Notice both answers equal 743,347,321

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 743,347,321 and divide it by 2:

743,347,321 ÷ 2 = 371,673,660.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 371,673,660.5 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:

1 743,347,321
-1 -743,347,321

Now, we try dividing 743,347,321 by 3:

743,347,321 ÷ 3 = 247,782,440.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 247,782,440.3333 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:

1 743,347,321
-1 -743,347,321

Let's try dividing by 4:

743,347,321 ÷ 4 = 185,836,830.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 185,836,830.25 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:

1 743,347,321
-1 743,347,321
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

117437311,016,89117,287,14743,726,313743,347,321
-1-17-43-731-1,016,891-17,287,147-43,726,313-743,347,321

More Examples

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