Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 358,888?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3588882 x 1794444 x 897228 x 44861113 x 3176226 x 1588397 x 904452 x 794
Negative: -1 x -358888-2 x -179444-4 x -89722-8 x -44861-113 x -3176-226 x -1588-397 x -904-452 x -794


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 358,888?

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 358,888, 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.

1 358,888
-1 -358,888

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 358,888.

Example:
1 x 358,888 = 358,888
and
-1 x -358,888 = 358,888
Notice both answers equal 358,888

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 358,888 and divide it by 2:

358,888 ÷ 2 = 179,444

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 179,444 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 2 179,444 358,888
-1 -2 -179,444 -358,888

Now, we try dividing 358,888 by 3:

358,888 ÷ 3 = 119,629.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 119,629.3333 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 2 179,444 358,888
-1 -2 -179,444 -358,888

Let's try dividing by 4:

358,888 ÷ 4 = 89,722

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 89,722 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 89,722 179,444 358,888
-1 -2 -4 -89,722 -179,444 358,888
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481132263974527949041,5883,17644,86189,722179,444358,888
-1-2-4-8-113-226-397-452-794-904-1,588-3,176-44,861-89,722-179,444-358,888

More Examples

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