Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,322,324?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3213223242 x 1606611624 x 80330581
Negative: -1 x -321322324-2 x -160661162-4 x -80330581


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,322,324?

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 321,322,324, 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.

1 321,322,324
-1 -321,322,324

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 321,322,324.

Example:
1 x 321,322,324 = 321,322,324
and
-1 x -321,322,324 = 321,322,324
Notice both answers equal 321,322,324

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,322,324 and divide it by 2:

321,322,324 ÷ 2 = 160,661,162

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,661,162 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 2 160,661,162 321,322,324
-1 -2 -160,661,162 -321,322,324

Now, we try dividing 321,322,324 by 3:

321,322,324 ÷ 3 = 107,107,441.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,107,441.3333 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 2 160,661,162 321,322,324
-1 -2 -160,661,162 -321,322,324

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,322,324 ÷ 4 = 80,330,581

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,330,581 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 80,330,581 160,661,162 321,322,324
-1 -2 -4 -80,330,581 -160,661,162 321,322,324
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12480,330,581160,661,162321,322,324
-1-2-4-80,330,581-160,661,162-321,322,324

More Examples

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