Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 324,132?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3241322 x 1620663 x 1080444 x 810336 x 5402212 x 27011
Negative: -1 x -324132-2 x -162066-3 x -108044-4 x -81033-6 x -54022-12 x -27011


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 324,132?

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 324,132, 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.

1 324,132
-1 -324,132

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 324,132.

Example:
1 x 324,132 = 324,132
and
-1 x -324,132 = 324,132
Notice both answers equal 324,132

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 324,132 and divide it by 2:

324,132 ÷ 2 = 162,066

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 162,066 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 2 162,066 324,132
-1 -2 -162,066 -324,132

Now, we try dividing 324,132 by 3:

324,132 ÷ 3 = 108,044

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,044 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 3 108,044 162,066 324,132
-1 -2 -3 -108,044 -162,066 -324,132

Let's try dividing by 4:

324,132 ÷ 4 = 81,033

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,033 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 3 4 81,033 108,044 162,066 324,132
-1 -2 -3 -4 -81,033 -108,044 -162,066 324,132
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461227,01154,02281,033108,044162,066324,132
-1-2-3-4-6-12-27,011-54,022-81,033-108,044-162,066-324,132

More Examples

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