Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 317,404?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3174042 x 1587024 x 7935173 x 4348146 x 2174292 x 1087
Negative: -1 x -317404-2 x -158702-4 x -79351-73 x -4348-146 x -2174-292 x -1087


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 317,404?

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 317,404, 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.

1 317,404
-1 -317,404

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 317,404.

Example:
1 x 317,404 = 317,404
and
-1 x -317,404 = 317,404
Notice both answers equal 317,404

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 317,404 and divide it by 2:

317,404 ÷ 2 = 158,702

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 158,702 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 2 158,702 317,404
-1 -2 -158,702 -317,404

Now, we try dividing 317,404 by 3:

317,404 ÷ 3 = 105,801.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 105,801.3333 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 2 158,702 317,404
-1 -2 -158,702 -317,404

Let's try dividing by 4:

317,404 ÷ 4 = 79,351

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 79,351 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 79,351 158,702 317,404
-1 -2 -4 -79,351 -158,702 317,404
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124731462921,0872,1744,34879,351158,702317,404
-1-2-4-73-146-292-1,087-2,174-4,348-79,351-158,702-317,404

More Examples

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