Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 532,408?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5324082 x 2662044 x 1331028 x 6655161 x 8728122 x 4364244 x 2182488 x 1091
Negative: -1 x -532408-2 x -266204-4 x -133102-8 x -66551-61 x -8728-122 x -4364-244 x -2182-488 x -1091


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 532,408?

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 532,408, 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.

1 532,408
-1 -532,408

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 532,408.

Example:
1 x 532,408 = 532,408
and
-1 x -532,408 = 532,408
Notice both answers equal 532,408

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 532,408 and divide it by 2:

532,408 ÷ 2 = 266,204

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 266,204 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 2 266,204 532,408
-1 -2 -266,204 -532,408

Now, we try dividing 532,408 by 3:

532,408 ÷ 3 = 177,469.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 177,469.3333 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 2 266,204 532,408
-1 -2 -266,204 -532,408

Let's try dividing by 4:

532,408 ÷ 4 = 133,102

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 133,102 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 4 133,102 266,204 532,408
-1 -2 -4 -133,102 -266,204 532,408
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248611222444881,0912,1824,3648,72866,551133,102266,204532,408
-1-2-4-8-61-122-244-488-1,091-2,182-4,364-8,728-66,551-133,102-266,204-532,408

More Examples

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