Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 231,856?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2318562 x 1159284 x 579648 x 2898216 x 1449143 x 539286 x 2696172 x 1348337 x 688344 x 674
Negative: -1 x -231856-2 x -115928-4 x -57964-8 x -28982-16 x -14491-43 x -5392-86 x -2696-172 x -1348-337 x -688-344 x -674


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 231,856?

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 231,856, 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.

1 231,856
-1 -231,856

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 231,856.

Example:
1 x 231,856 = 231,856
and
-1 x -231,856 = 231,856
Notice both answers equal 231,856

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,856 and divide it by 2:

231,856 ÷ 2 = 115,928

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,928 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 2 115,928 231,856
-1 -2 -115,928 -231,856

Now, we try dividing 231,856 by 3:

231,856 ÷ 3 = 77,285.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,285.3333 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 2 115,928 231,856
-1 -2 -115,928 -231,856

Let's try dividing by 4:

231,856 ÷ 4 = 57,964

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,964 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 57,964 115,928 231,856
-1 -2 -4 -57,964 -115,928 231,856
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481643861723373446746881,3482,6965,39214,49128,98257,964115,928231,856
-1-2-4-8-16-43-86-172-337-344-674-688-1,348-2,696-5,392-14,491-28,982-57,964-115,928-231,856

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 231,856:


Ask a Question