Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 128,324?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1283242 x 641624 x 320817 x 1833214 x 916628 x 4583
Negative: -1 x -128324-2 x -64162-4 x -32081-7 x -18332-14 x -9166-28 x -4583


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 128,324?

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 128,324, 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.

1 128,324
-1 -128,324

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 128,324.

Example:
1 x 128,324 = 128,324
and
-1 x -128,324 = 128,324
Notice both answers equal 128,324

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 128,324 and divide it by 2:

128,324 ÷ 2 = 64,162

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 64,162 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 64,162 128,324
-1 -2 -64,162 -128,324

Now, we try dividing 128,324 by 3:

128,324 ÷ 3 = 42,774.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 42,774.6667 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 64,162 128,324
-1 -2 -64,162 -128,324

Let's try dividing by 4:

128,324 ÷ 4 = 32,081

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,081 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 32,081 64,162 128,324
-1 -2 -4 -32,081 -64,162 128,324
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124714284,5839,16618,33232,08164,162128,324
-1-2-4-7-14-28-4,583-9,166-18,332-32,081-64,162-128,324

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 128,324:


Ask a Question