Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 317,868?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3178682 x 1589343 x 1059564 x 794676 x 5297812 x 26489
Negative: -1 x -317868-2 x -158934-3 x -105956-4 x -79467-6 x -52978-12 x -26489


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 317,868?

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 317,868, 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.

1 317,868
-1 -317,868

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 317,868.

Example:
1 x 317,868 = 317,868
and
-1 x -317,868 = 317,868
Notice both answers equal 317,868

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 317,868 and divide it by 2:

317,868 ÷ 2 = 158,934

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 158,934 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 2 158,934 317,868
-1 -2 -158,934 -317,868

Now, we try dividing 317,868 by 3:

317,868 ÷ 3 = 105,956

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 105,956 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 3 105,956 158,934 317,868
-1 -2 -3 -105,956 -158,934 -317,868

Let's try dividing by 4:

317,868 ÷ 4 = 79,467

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 79,467 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 4 79,467 105,956 158,934 317,868
-1 -2 -3 -4 -79,467 -105,956 -158,934 317,868
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461226,48952,97879,467105,956158,934317,868
-1-2-3-4-6-12-26,489-52,978-79,467-105,956-158,934-317,868

More Examples

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