Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 320,968?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3209682 x 1604844 x 802428 x 4012153 x 6056106 x 3028212 x 1514424 x 757
Negative: -1 x -320968-2 x -160484-4 x -80242-8 x -40121-53 x -6056-106 x -3028-212 x -1514-424 x -757


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 320,968?

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 320,968, 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.

1 320,968
-1 -320,968

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 320,968.

Example:
1 x 320,968 = 320,968
and
-1 x -320,968 = 320,968
Notice both answers equal 320,968

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 320,968 and divide it by 2:

320,968 ÷ 2 = 160,484

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,484 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 2 160,484 320,968
-1 -2 -160,484 -320,968

Now, we try dividing 320,968 by 3:

320,968 ÷ 3 = 106,989.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 106,989.3333 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 2 160,484 320,968
-1 -2 -160,484 -320,968

Let's try dividing by 4:

320,968 ÷ 4 = 80,242

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,242 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 4 80,242 160,484 320,968
-1 -2 -4 -80,242 -160,484 320,968
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248531062124247571,5143,0286,05640,12180,242160,484320,968
-1-2-4-8-53-106-212-424-757-1,514-3,028-6,056-40,121-80,242-160,484-320,968

More Examples

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