Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 304,451?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3044517 x 4349323 x 1323731 x 982161 x 4991161 x 1891217 x 1403427 x 713
Negative: -1 x -304451-7 x -43493-23 x -13237-31 x -9821-61 x -4991-161 x -1891-217 x -1403-427 x -713


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 304,451?

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 304,451, 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.

1 304,451
-1 -304,451

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 304,451.

Example:
1 x 304,451 = 304,451
and
-1 x -304,451 = 304,451
Notice both answers equal 304,451

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 304,451 and divide it by 2:

304,451 ÷ 2 = 152,225.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 152,225.5 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:

1 304,451
-1 -304,451

Now, we try dividing 304,451 by 3:

304,451 ÷ 3 = 101,483.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,483.6667 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:

1 304,451
-1 -304,451

Let's try dividing by 4:

304,451 ÷ 4 = 76,112.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,112.75 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:

1 304,451
-1 304,451
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

172331611612174277131,4031,8914,9919,82113,23743,493304,451
-1-7-23-31-61-161-217-427-713-1,403-1,891-4,991-9,821-13,237-43,493-304,451

More Examples

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