Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 320,845?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3208455 x 641697 x 4583535 x 916789 x 3605103 x 3115445 x 721515 x 623
Negative: -1 x -320845-5 x -64169-7 x -45835-35 x -9167-89 x -3605-103 x -3115-445 x -721-515 x -623


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 320,845?

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 320,845, 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.

1 320,845
-1 -320,845

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 320,845.

Example:
1 x 320,845 = 320,845
and
-1 x -320,845 = 320,845
Notice both answers equal 320,845

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 320,845 and divide it by 2:

320,845 ÷ 2 = 160,422.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,422.5 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:

1 320,845
-1 -320,845

Now, we try dividing 320,845 by 3:

320,845 ÷ 3 = 106,948.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 106,948.3333 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:

1 320,845
-1 -320,845

Let's try dividing by 4:

320,845 ÷ 4 = 80,211.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,211.25 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:

1 320,845
-1 320,845
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15735891034455156237213,1153,6059,16745,83564,169320,845
-1-5-7-35-89-103-445-515-623-721-3,115-3,605-9,167-45,835-64,169-320,845

More Examples

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