Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 288,732?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2887322 x 1443663 x 962444 x 721836 x 4812212 x 24061
Negative: -1 x -288732-2 x -144366-3 x -96244-4 x -72183-6 x -48122-12 x -24061


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 288,732?

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 288,732, 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.

1 288,732
-1 -288,732

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 288,732.

Example:
1 x 288,732 = 288,732
and
-1 x -288,732 = 288,732
Notice both answers equal 288,732

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 288,732 and divide it by 2:

288,732 ÷ 2 = 144,366

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 144,366 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 2 144,366 288,732
-1 -2 -144,366 -288,732

Now, we try dividing 288,732 by 3:

288,732 ÷ 3 = 96,244

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 96,244 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 96,244 144,366 288,732
-1 -2 -3 -96,244 -144,366 -288,732

Let's try dividing by 4:

288,732 ÷ 4 = 72,183

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 72,183 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 72,183 96,244 144,366 288,732
-1 -2 -3 -4 -72,183 -96,244 -144,366 288,732
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461224,06148,12272,18396,244144,366288,732
-1-2-3-4-6-12-24,061-48,122-72,183-96,244-144,366-288,732

More Examples

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