Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,032,307?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3210323073 x 107010769
Negative: -1 x -321032307-3 x -107010769


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,032,307?

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 321,032,307, 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.

1 321,032,307
-1 -321,032,307

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 321,032,307.

Example:
1 x 321,032,307 = 321,032,307
and
-1 x -321,032,307 = 321,032,307
Notice both answers equal 321,032,307

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,032,307 and divide it by 2:

321,032,307 ÷ 2 = 160,516,153.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,516,153.5 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:

1 321,032,307
-1 -321,032,307

Now, we try dividing 321,032,307 by 3:

321,032,307 ÷ 3 = 107,010,769

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,010,769 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 3 107,010,769 321,032,307
-1 -3 -107,010,769 -321,032,307

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,032,307 ÷ 4 = 80,258,076.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,258,076.75 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 3 107,010,769 321,032,307
-1 -3 -107,010,769 321,032,307
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13107,010,769321,032,307
-1-3-107,010,769-321,032,307

More Examples

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