Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 320,322,217?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 32032221741 x 7812737431 x 74320717671 x 18127
Negative: -1 x -320322217-41 x -7812737-431 x -743207-17671 x -18127


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 320,322,217?

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 320,322,217, 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.

1 320,322,217
-1 -320,322,217

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 320,322,217.

Example:
1 x 320,322,217 = 320,322,217
and
-1 x -320,322,217 = 320,322,217
Notice both answers equal 320,322,217

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 320,322,217 and divide it by 2:

320,322,217 ÷ 2 = 160,161,108.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,161,108.5 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:

1 320,322,217
-1 -320,322,217

Now, we try dividing 320,322,217 by 3:

320,322,217 ÷ 3 = 106,774,072.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 106,774,072.3333 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:

1 320,322,217
-1 -320,322,217

Let's try dividing by 4:

320,322,217 ÷ 4 = 80,080,554.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,080,554.25 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:

1 320,322,217
-1 320,322,217
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14143117,67118,127743,2077,812,737320,322,217
-1-41-431-17,671-18,127-743,207-7,812,737-320,322,217

More Examples

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