Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 308,875?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3088755 x 617757 x 4412525 x 1235535 x 8825125 x 2471175 x 1765353 x 875
Negative: -1 x -308875-5 x -61775-7 x -44125-25 x -12355-35 x -8825-125 x -2471-175 x -1765-353 x -875


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 308,875?

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 308,875, 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.

1 308,875
-1 -308,875

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 308,875.

Example:
1 x 308,875 = 308,875
and
-1 x -308,875 = 308,875
Notice both answers equal 308,875

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 308,875 and divide it by 2:

308,875 ÷ 2 = 154,437.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 154,437.5 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:

1 308,875
-1 -308,875

Now, we try dividing 308,875 by 3:

308,875 ÷ 3 = 102,958.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 102,958.3333 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:

1 308,875
-1 -308,875

Let's try dividing by 4:

308,875 ÷ 4 = 77,218.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,218.75 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:

1 308,875
-1 308,875
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15725351251753538751,7652,4718,82512,35544,12561,775308,875
-1-5-7-25-35-125-175-353-875-1,765-2,471-8,825-12,355-44,125-61,775-308,875

More Examples

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