Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 326,440?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3264402 x 1632204 x 816105 x 652888 x 4080510 x 3264420 x 1632240 x 8161
Negative: -1 x -326440-2 x -163220-4 x -81610-5 x -65288-8 x -40805-10 x -32644-20 x -16322-40 x -8161


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 326,440?

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 326,440, 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.

1 326,440
-1 -326,440

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 326,440.

Example:
1 x 326,440 = 326,440
and
-1 x -326,440 = 326,440
Notice both answers equal 326,440

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 326,440 and divide it by 2:

326,440 ÷ 2 = 163,220

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 163,220 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 2 163,220 326,440
-1 -2 -163,220 -326,440

Now, we try dividing 326,440 by 3:

326,440 ÷ 3 = 108,813.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,813.3333 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 2 163,220 326,440
-1 -2 -163,220 -326,440

Let's try dividing by 4:

326,440 ÷ 4 = 81,610

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,610 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 81,610 163,220 326,440
-1 -2 -4 -81,610 -163,220 326,440
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124581020408,16116,32232,64440,80565,28881,610163,220326,440
-1-2-4-5-8-10-20-40-8,161-16,322-32,644-40,805-65,288-81,610-163,220-326,440

More Examples

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