Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 317,976?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3179762 x 1589883 x 1059924 x 794946 x 529968 x 3974712 x 2649824 x 13249
Negative: -1 x -317976-2 x -158988-3 x -105992-4 x -79494-6 x -52996-8 x -39747-12 x -26498-24 x -13249


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 317,976?

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 317,976, 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.

1 317,976
-1 -317,976

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 317,976.

Example:
1 x 317,976 = 317,976
and
-1 x -317,976 = 317,976
Notice both answers equal 317,976

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 317,976 and divide it by 2:

317,976 ÷ 2 = 158,988

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 158,988 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 2 158,988 317,976
-1 -2 -158,988 -317,976

Now, we try dividing 317,976 by 3:

317,976 ÷ 3 = 105,992

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 105,992 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 3 105,992 158,988 317,976
-1 -2 -3 -105,992 -158,988 -317,976

Let's try dividing by 4:

317,976 ÷ 4 = 79,494

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 79,494 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 79,494 105,992 158,988 317,976
-1 -2 -3 -4 -79,494 -105,992 -158,988 317,976
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123468122413,24926,49839,74752,99679,494105,992158,988317,976
-1-2-3-4-6-8-12-24-13,249-26,498-39,747-52,996-79,494-105,992-158,988-317,976

More Examples

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