Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 326,632?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3266322 x 1633164 x 816588 x 40829
Negative: -1 x -326632-2 x -163316-4 x -81658-8 x -40829


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 326,632?

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 326,632, 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.

1 326,632
-1 -326,632

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 326,632.

Example:
1 x 326,632 = 326,632
and
-1 x -326,632 = 326,632
Notice both answers equal 326,632

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 326,632 and divide it by 2:

326,632 ÷ 2 = 163,316

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 163,316 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 2 163,316 326,632
-1 -2 -163,316 -326,632

Now, we try dividing 326,632 by 3:

326,632 ÷ 3 = 108,877.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,877.3333 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 2 163,316 326,632
-1 -2 -163,316 -326,632

Let's try dividing by 4:

326,632 ÷ 4 = 81,658

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,658 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 81,658 163,316 326,632
-1 -2 -4 -81,658 -163,316 326,632
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124840,82981,658163,316326,632
-1-2-4-8-40,829-81,658-163,316-326,632

More Examples

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