Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 231,220?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2312202 x 1156104 x 578055 x 4624410 x 2312211 x 2102020 x 1156122 x 1051044 x 525555 x 4204110 x 2102220 x 1051
Negative: -1 x -231220-2 x -115610-4 x -57805-5 x -46244-10 x -23122-11 x -21020-20 x -11561-22 x -10510-44 x -5255-55 x -4204-110 x -2102-220 x -1051


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 231,220?

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 231,220, 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.

1 231,220
-1 -231,220

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 231,220.

Example:
1 x 231,220 = 231,220
and
-1 x -231,220 = 231,220
Notice both answers equal 231,220

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,220 and divide it by 2:

231,220 ÷ 2 = 115,610

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,610 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 2 115,610 231,220
-1 -2 -115,610 -231,220

Now, we try dividing 231,220 by 3:

231,220 ÷ 3 = 77,073.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,073.3333 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 2 115,610 231,220
-1 -2 -115,610 -231,220

Let's try dividing by 4:

231,220 ÷ 4 = 57,805

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,805 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 57,805 115,610 231,220
-1 -2 -4 -57,805 -115,610 231,220
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12451011202244551102201,0512,1024,2045,25510,51011,56121,02023,12246,24457,805115,610231,220
-1-2-4-5-10-11-20-22-44-55-110-220-1,051-2,102-4,204-5,255-10,510-11,561-21,020-23,122-46,244-57,805-115,610-231,220

More Examples

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