Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 324,732,145?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3247321455 x 649464292273 x 14286511365 x 28573
Negative: -1 x -324732145-5 x -64946429-2273 x -142865-11365 x -28573


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 324,732,145?

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 324,732,145, 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.

1 324,732,145
-1 -324,732,145

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 324,732,145.

Example:
1 x 324,732,145 = 324,732,145
and
-1 x -324,732,145 = 324,732,145
Notice both answers equal 324,732,145

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 324,732,145 and divide it by 2:

324,732,145 ÷ 2 = 162,366,072.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 162,366,072.5 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:

1 324,732,145
-1 -324,732,145

Now, we try dividing 324,732,145 by 3:

324,732,145 ÷ 3 = 108,244,048.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,244,048.3333 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:

1 324,732,145
-1 -324,732,145

Let's try dividing by 4:

324,732,145 ÷ 4 = 81,183,036.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,183,036.25 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:

1 324,732,145
-1 324,732,145
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

152,27311,36528,573142,86564,946,429324,732,145
-1-5-2,273-11,365-28,573-142,865-64,946,429-324,732,145

More Examples

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