Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 324,434,321?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 324434321101 x 3212221383 x 8470878387 x 38683
Negative: -1 x -324434321-101 x -3212221-383 x -847087-8387 x -38683


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 324,434,321?

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 324,434,321, 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.

1 324,434,321
-1 -324,434,321

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 324,434,321.

Example:
1 x 324,434,321 = 324,434,321
and
-1 x -324,434,321 = 324,434,321
Notice both answers equal 324,434,321

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 324,434,321 and divide it by 2:

324,434,321 ÷ 2 = 162,217,160.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 162,217,160.5 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:

1 324,434,321
-1 -324,434,321

Now, we try dividing 324,434,321 by 3:

324,434,321 ÷ 3 = 108,144,773.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,144,773.6667 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:

1 324,434,321
-1 -324,434,321

Let's try dividing by 4:

324,434,321 ÷ 4 = 81,108,580.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,108,580.25 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:

1 324,434,321
-1 324,434,321
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11013838,38738,683847,0873,212,221324,434,321
-1-101-383-8,387-38,683-847,087-3,212,221-324,434,321

More Examples

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