Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 311,948?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3119482 x 1559744 x 779877 x 4456413 x 2399614 x 2228226 x 1199828 x 1114152 x 599991 x 3428182 x 1714364 x 857
Negative: -1 x -311948-2 x -155974-4 x -77987-7 x -44564-13 x -23996-14 x -22282-26 x -11998-28 x -11141-52 x -5999-91 x -3428-182 x -1714-364 x -857


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 311,948?

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 311,948, 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.

1 311,948
-1 -311,948

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 311,948.

Example:
1 x 311,948 = 311,948
and
-1 x -311,948 = 311,948
Notice both answers equal 311,948

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 311,948 and divide it by 2:

311,948 ÷ 2 = 155,974

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 155,974 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 2 155,974 311,948
-1 -2 -155,974 -311,948

Now, we try dividing 311,948 by 3:

311,948 ÷ 3 = 103,982.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 103,982.6667 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 2 155,974 311,948
-1 -2 -155,974 -311,948

Let's try dividing by 4:

311,948 ÷ 4 = 77,987

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,987 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 77,987 155,974 311,948
-1 -2 -4 -77,987 -155,974 311,948
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12471314262852911823648571,7143,4285,99911,14111,99822,28223,99644,56477,987155,974311,948
-1-2-4-7-13-14-26-28-52-91-182-364-857-1,714-3,428-5,999-11,141-11,998-22,282-23,996-44,564-77,987-155,974-311,948

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 311,948:


Ask a Question