Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 324,560,417?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 324560417257 x 1262881
Negative: -1 x -324560417-257 x -1262881


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 324,560,417?

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 324,560,417, 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.

1 324,560,417
-1 -324,560,417

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 324,560,417.

Example:
1 x 324,560,417 = 324,560,417
and
-1 x -324,560,417 = 324,560,417
Notice both answers equal 324,560,417

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 324,560,417 and divide it by 2:

324,560,417 ÷ 2 = 162,280,208.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 162,280,208.5 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:

1 324,560,417
-1 -324,560,417

Now, we try dividing 324,560,417 by 3:

324,560,417 ÷ 3 = 108,186,805.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,186,805.6667 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:

1 324,560,417
-1 -324,560,417

Let's try dividing by 4:

324,560,417 ÷ 4 = 81,140,104.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,140,104.25 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:

1 324,560,417
-1 324,560,417
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12571,262,881324,560,417
-1-257-1,262,881-324,560,417

More Examples

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