Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 304,001,221?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 30400122131 x 9806491
Negative: -1 x -304001221-31 x -9806491


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 304,001,221?

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 304,001,221, 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.

1 304,001,221
-1 -304,001,221

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 304,001,221.

Example:
1 x 304,001,221 = 304,001,221
and
-1 x -304,001,221 = 304,001,221
Notice both answers equal 304,001,221

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 304,001,221 and divide it by 2:

304,001,221 ÷ 2 = 152,000,610.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 152,000,610.5 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:

1 304,001,221
-1 -304,001,221

Now, we try dividing 304,001,221 by 3:

304,001,221 ÷ 3 = 101,333,740.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,333,740.3333 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:

1 304,001,221
-1 -304,001,221

Let's try dividing by 4:

304,001,221 ÷ 4 = 76,000,305.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,000,305.25 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:

1 304,001,221
-1 304,001,221
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1319,806,491304,001,221
-1-31-9,806,491-304,001,221

More Examples

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