Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 97,348?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 973482 x 486744 x 24337
Negative: -1 x -97348-2 x -48674-4 x -24337


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 97,348?

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 97,348, 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 97,348
-1 -97,348

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 97,348.

Example:
1 x 97,348 = 97,348
and
-1 x -97,348 = 97,348
Notice both answers equal 97,348

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 97,348 and divide it by 2:

97,348 ÷ 2 = 48,674

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 48,674 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 48,674 97,348
-1 -2 -48,674 -97,348

Now, we try dividing 97,348 by 3:

97,348 ÷ 3 = 32,449.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 32,449.3333 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 48,674 97,348
-1 -2 -48,674 -97,348

Let's try dividing by 4:

97,348 ÷ 4 = 24,337

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 24,337 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 24,337 48,674 97,348
-1 -2 -4 -24,337 -48,674 97,348
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12424,33748,67497,348
-1-2-4-24,337-48,674-97,348

More Examples

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