Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 645,332?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6453322 x 3226664 x 161333
Negative: -1 x -645332-2 x -322666-4 x -161333


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 645,332?

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 645,332, 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.

1 645,332
-1 -645,332

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 645,332.

Example:
1 x 645,332 = 645,332
and
-1 x -645,332 = 645,332
Notice both answers equal 645,332

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 645,332 and divide it by 2:

645,332 ÷ 2 = 322,666

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 322,666 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 2 322,666 645,332
-1 -2 -322,666 -645,332

Now, we try dividing 645,332 by 3:

645,332 ÷ 3 = 215,110.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 215,110.6667 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 2 322,666 645,332
-1 -2 -322,666 -645,332

Let's try dividing by 4:

645,332 ÷ 4 = 161,333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 161,333 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 4 161,333 322,666 645,332
-1 -2 -4 -161,333 -322,666 645,332
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124161,333322,666645,332
-1-2-4-161,333-322,666-645,332

More Examples

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