Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 388,745?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3887455 x 777497 x 5553529 x 1340535 x 11107145 x 2681203 x 1915383 x 1015
Negative: -1 x -388745-5 x -77749-7 x -55535-29 x -13405-35 x -11107-145 x -2681-203 x -1915-383 x -1015


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 388,745?

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 388,745, 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.

1 388,745
-1 -388,745

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 388,745.

Example:
1 x 388,745 = 388,745
and
-1 x -388,745 = 388,745
Notice both answers equal 388,745

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 388,745 and divide it by 2:

388,745 ÷ 2 = 194,372.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 194,372.5 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:

1 388,745
-1 -388,745

Now, we try dividing 388,745 by 3:

388,745 ÷ 3 = 129,581.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 129,581.6667 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:

1 388,745
-1 -388,745

Let's try dividing by 4:

388,745 ÷ 4 = 97,186.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 97,186.25 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:

1 388,745
-1 388,745
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15729351452033831,0151,9152,68111,10713,40555,53577,749388,745
-1-5-7-29-35-145-203-383-1,015-1,915-2,681-11,107-13,405-55,535-77,749-388,745

More Examples

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