Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 332,423?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3324237 x 4748913 x 2557191 x 3653169 x 1967281 x 1183
Negative: -1 x -332423-7 x -47489-13 x -25571-91 x -3653-169 x -1967-281 x -1183


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 332,423?

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 332,423, 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.

1 332,423
-1 -332,423

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 332,423.

Example:
1 x 332,423 = 332,423
and
-1 x -332,423 = 332,423
Notice both answers equal 332,423

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 332,423 and divide it by 2:

332,423 ÷ 2 = 166,211.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 166,211.5 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:

1 332,423
-1 -332,423

Now, we try dividing 332,423 by 3:

332,423 ÷ 3 = 110,807.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 110,807.6667 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:

1 332,423
-1 -332,423

Let's try dividing by 4:

332,423 ÷ 4 = 83,105.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 83,105.75 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:

1 332,423
-1 332,423
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1713911692811,1831,9673,65325,57147,489332,423
-1-7-13-91-169-281-1,183-1,967-3,653-25,571-47,489-332,423

More Examples

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