Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 312,428?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3124282 x 1562144 x 7810737 x 844474 x 4222148 x 2111
Negative: -1 x -312428-2 x -156214-4 x -78107-37 x -8444-74 x -4222-148 x -2111


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 312,428?

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 312,428, 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.

1 312,428
-1 -312,428

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 312,428.

Example:
1 x 312,428 = 312,428
and
-1 x -312,428 = 312,428
Notice both answers equal 312,428

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 312,428 and divide it by 2:

312,428 ÷ 2 = 156,214

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 156,214 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 2 156,214 312,428
-1 -2 -156,214 -312,428

Now, we try dividing 312,428 by 3:

312,428 ÷ 3 = 104,142.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 104,142.6667 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 2 156,214 312,428
-1 -2 -156,214 -312,428

Let's try dividing by 4:

312,428 ÷ 4 = 78,107

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 78,107 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 78,107 156,214 312,428
-1 -2 -4 -78,107 -156,214 312,428
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12437741482,1114,2228,44478,107156,214312,428
-1-2-4-37-74-148-2,111-4,222-8,444-78,107-156,214-312,428

More Examples

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