Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,288?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 312882 x 156444 x 78228 x 3911
Negative: -1 x -31288-2 x -15644-4 x -7822-8 x -3911


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,288?

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 31,288, 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 31,288
-1 -31,288

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 31,288.

Example:
1 x 31,288 = 31,288
and
-1 x -31,288 = 31,288
Notice both answers equal 31,288

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,288 and divide it by 2:

31,288 ÷ 2 = 15,644

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,644 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 15,644 31,288
-1 -2 -15,644 -31,288

Now, we try dividing 31,288 by 3:

31,288 ÷ 3 = 10,429.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,429.3333 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 2 15,644 31,288
-1 -2 -15,644 -31,288

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,288 ÷ 4 = 7,822

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,822 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 7,822 15,644 31,288
-1 -2 -4 -7,822 -15,644 31,288
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12483,9117,82215,64431,288
-1-2-4-8-3,911-7,822-15,644-31,288

More Examples

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