Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 307,021?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 30702111 x 2791113 x 2361719 x 16159113 x 2717143 x 2147209 x 1469247 x 1243
Negative: -1 x -307021-11 x -27911-13 x -23617-19 x -16159-113 x -2717-143 x -2147-209 x -1469-247 x -1243


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 307,021?

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 307,021, 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.

1 307,021
-1 -307,021

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 307,021.

Example:
1 x 307,021 = 307,021
and
-1 x -307,021 = 307,021
Notice both answers equal 307,021

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 307,021 and divide it by 2:

307,021 ÷ 2 = 153,510.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 153,510.5 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:

1 307,021
-1 -307,021

Now, we try dividing 307,021 by 3:

307,021 ÷ 3 = 102,340.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 102,340.3333 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:

1 307,021
-1 -307,021

Let's try dividing by 4:

307,021 ÷ 4 = 76,755.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,755.25 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:

1 307,021
-1 307,021
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11113191131432092471,2431,4692,1472,71716,15923,61727,911307,021
-1-11-13-19-113-143-209-247-1,243-1,469-2,147-2,717-16,159-23,617-27,911-307,021

More Examples

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