Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 231,852?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2318522 x 1159263 x 772844 x 579636 x 3864212 x 19321139 x 1668278 x 834417 x 556
Negative: -1 x -231852-2 x -115926-3 x -77284-4 x -57963-6 x -38642-12 x -19321-139 x -1668-278 x -834-417 x -556


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 231,852?

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 231,852, 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.

1 231,852
-1 -231,852

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 231,852.

Example:
1 x 231,852 = 231,852
and
-1 x -231,852 = 231,852
Notice both answers equal 231,852

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,852 and divide it by 2:

231,852 ÷ 2 = 115,926

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,926 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 2 115,926 231,852
-1 -2 -115,926 -231,852

Now, we try dividing 231,852 by 3:

231,852 ÷ 3 = 77,284

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,284 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 3 77,284 115,926 231,852
-1 -2 -3 -77,284 -115,926 -231,852

Let's try dividing by 4:

231,852 ÷ 4 = 57,963

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,963 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 3 4 57,963 77,284 115,926 231,852
-1 -2 -3 -4 -57,963 -77,284 -115,926 231,852
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346121392784175568341,66819,32138,64257,96377,284115,926231,852
-1-2-3-4-6-12-139-278-417-556-834-1,668-19,321-38,642-57,963-77,284-115,926-231,852

More Examples

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