Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 327,042?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3270422 x 1635213 x 1090146 x 545079 x 3633818 x 18169
Negative: -1 x -327042-2 x -163521-3 x -109014-6 x -54507-9 x -36338-18 x -18169


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 327,042?

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 327,042, 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.

1 327,042
-1 -327,042

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 327,042.

Example:
1 x 327,042 = 327,042
and
-1 x -327,042 = 327,042
Notice both answers equal 327,042

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 327,042 and divide it by 2:

327,042 ÷ 2 = 163,521

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 163,521 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 2 163,521 327,042
-1 -2 -163,521 -327,042

Now, we try dividing 327,042 by 3:

327,042 ÷ 3 = 109,014

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 109,014 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 3 109,014 163,521 327,042
-1 -2 -3 -109,014 -163,521 -327,042

Let's try dividing by 4:

327,042 ÷ 4 = 81,760.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,760.5 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 2 3 109,014 163,521 327,042
-1 -2 -3 -109,014 -163,521 327,042
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123691818,16936,33854,507109,014163,521327,042
-1-2-3-6-9-18-18,169-36,338-54,507-109,014-163,521-327,042

More Examples

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