Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 482,344?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4823442 x 2411724 x 1205868 x 60293
Negative: -1 x -482344-2 x -241172-4 x -120586-8 x -60293


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 482,344?

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 482,344, 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.

1 482,344
-1 -482,344

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 482,344.

Example:
1 x 482,344 = 482,344
and
-1 x -482,344 = 482,344
Notice both answers equal 482,344

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 482,344 and divide it by 2:

482,344 ÷ 2 = 241,172

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 241,172 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 2 241,172 482,344
-1 -2 -241,172 -482,344

Now, we try dividing 482,344 by 3:

482,344 ÷ 3 = 160,781.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 160,781.3333 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 2 241,172 482,344
-1 -2 -241,172 -482,344

Let's try dividing by 4:

482,344 ÷ 4 = 120,586

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 120,586 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 4 120,586 241,172 482,344
-1 -2 -4 -120,586 -241,172 482,344
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124860,293120,586241,172482,344
-1-2-4-8-60,293-120,586-241,172-482,344

More Examples

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