Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 353,831?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 35383137 x 956373 x 4847131 x 2701
Negative: -1 x -353831-37 x -9563-73 x -4847-131 x -2701


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 353,831?

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 353,831, 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.

1 353,831
-1 -353,831

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 353,831.

Example:
1 x 353,831 = 353,831
and
-1 x -353,831 = 353,831
Notice both answers equal 353,831

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 353,831 and divide it by 2:

353,831 ÷ 2 = 176,915.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 176,915.5 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:

1 353,831
-1 -353,831

Now, we try dividing 353,831 by 3:

353,831 ÷ 3 = 117,943.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 117,943.6667 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:

1 353,831
-1 -353,831

Let's try dividing by 4:

353,831 ÷ 4 = 88,457.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 88,457.75 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:

1 353,831
-1 353,831
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

137731312,7014,8479,563353,831
-1-37-73-131-2,701-4,847-9,563-353,831

More Examples

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