Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 303,724?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3037242 x 1518624 x 75931
Negative: -1 x -303724-2 x -151862-4 x -75931


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 303,724?

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 303,724, 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.

1 303,724
-1 -303,724

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 303,724.

Example:
1 x 303,724 = 303,724
and
-1 x -303,724 = 303,724
Notice both answers equal 303,724

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 303,724 and divide it by 2:

303,724 ÷ 2 = 151,862

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 151,862 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 2 151,862 303,724
-1 -2 -151,862 -303,724

Now, we try dividing 303,724 by 3:

303,724 ÷ 3 = 101,241.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,241.3333 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 2 151,862 303,724
-1 -2 -151,862 -303,724

Let's try dividing by 4:

303,724 ÷ 4 = 75,931

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 75,931 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 75,931 151,862 303,724
-1 -2 -4 -75,931 -151,862 303,724
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12475,931151,862303,724
-1-2-4-75,931-151,862-303,724

More Examples

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