# How do I find factors easily

• Feb 10th 2008, 09:57 AM
mjb
How do I find factors easily
Hi, can someone tell me what is the easiest way of finding factors of a number? Is it all trial and error or is there a better way? I'm sure there must be because in trying to find the factors of, for example, 150 it is very time consuming to keep dividing it by numbers to see if they are factors.
Hope you can help,
Thank you,
mjb
• Feb 10th 2008, 10:05 AM
galactus
Time consuming to find the factors of 150?. Hardly.

Divide by 2 and get 75. Divide by 3 and get 25. Divide by 5 and get 5.

Then we have $2\cdot{3}\cdot{5^{2}}$

WHEW, I am so tired now.(Wink)

Now, find the factors of 5874895874555114
• Feb 10th 2008, 10:20 AM
Jhevon
we should also note that an integer is a factor of itself
• Feb 10th 2008, 12:10 PM
mjb
Wish we could all be as perfect as you galactus
• Feb 10th 2008, 12:21 PM
galactus
Quote:

Originally Posted by mjb
Wish we could all be as perfect as you galactus

Yes, I know. (Cool)

You do know I was just teasing.(Tongueout)

Sometimes a dry sense of humor comes off the wrong way.
• Feb 10th 2008, 12:22 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by mjb
Wish we could all be as perfect as you galactus

come on, almost nobody's perfect. i don't think galactus is ... ((Wink) @ galactus)

just try what he says, there is no need for any method besides this. it is usually pretty efficient. did you try the number he asked you to find the factors of?