Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 288,844?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2888442 x 1444224 x 72211
Negative: -1 x -288844-2 x -144422-4 x -72211


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 288,844?

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 288,844, 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.

1 288,844
-1 -288,844

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 288,844.

Example:
1 x 288,844 = 288,844
and
-1 x -288,844 = 288,844
Notice both answers equal 288,844

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 288,844 and divide it by 2:

288,844 ÷ 2 = 144,422

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 144,422 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 2 144,422 288,844
-1 -2 -144,422 -288,844

Now, we try dividing 288,844 by 3:

288,844 ÷ 3 = 96,281.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 96,281.3333 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 2 144,422 288,844
-1 -2 -144,422 -288,844

Let's try dividing by 4:

288,844 ÷ 4 = 72,211

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 72,211 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 72,211 144,422 288,844
-1 -2 -4 -72,211 -144,422 288,844
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12472,211144,422288,844
-1-2-4-72,211-144,422-288,844

More Examples

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