Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 317,598?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3175982 x 1587993 x 1058666 x 5293343 x 738686 x 3693129 x 2462258 x 1231
Negative: -1 x -317598-2 x -158799-3 x -105866-6 x -52933-43 x -7386-86 x -3693-129 x -2462-258 x -1231


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 317,598?

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 317,598, 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.

1 317,598
-1 -317,598

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 317,598.

Example:
1 x 317,598 = 317,598
and
-1 x -317,598 = 317,598
Notice both answers equal 317,598

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 317,598 and divide it by 2:

317,598 ÷ 2 = 158,799

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 158,799 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 2 158,799 317,598
-1 -2 -158,799 -317,598

Now, we try dividing 317,598 by 3:

317,598 ÷ 3 = 105,866

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 105,866 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 3 105,866 158,799 317,598
-1 -2 -3 -105,866 -158,799 -317,598

Let's try dividing by 4:

317,598 ÷ 4 = 79,399.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 79,399.5 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 2 3 105,866 158,799 317,598
-1 -2 -3 -105,866 -158,799 317,598
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123643861292581,2312,4623,6937,38652,933105,866158,799317,598
-1-2-3-6-43-86-129-258-1,231-2,462-3,693-7,386-52,933-105,866-158,799-317,598

More Examples

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