Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 304,843?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3048437 x 4354911 x 2771337 x 823977 x 3959107 x 2849259 x 1177407 x 749
Negative: -1 x -304843-7 x -43549-11 x -27713-37 x -8239-77 x -3959-107 x -2849-259 x -1177-407 x -749


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 304,843?

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 304,843, 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.

1 304,843
-1 -304,843

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 304,843.

Example:
1 x 304,843 = 304,843
and
-1 x -304,843 = 304,843
Notice both answers equal 304,843

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 304,843 and divide it by 2:

304,843 ÷ 2 = 152,421.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 152,421.5 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:

1 304,843
-1 -304,843

Now, we try dividing 304,843 by 3:

304,843 ÷ 3 = 101,614.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,614.3333 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:

1 304,843
-1 -304,843

Let's try dividing by 4:

304,843 ÷ 4 = 76,210.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,210.75 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:

1 304,843
-1 304,843
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171137771072594077491,1772,8493,9598,23927,71343,549304,843
-1-7-11-37-77-107-259-407-749-1,177-2,849-3,959-8,239-27,713-43,549-304,843

More Examples

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