Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 307,578?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3075782 x 1537893 x 1025266 x 51263
Negative: -1 x -307578-2 x -153789-3 x -102526-6 x -51263


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 307,578?

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 307,578, 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.

1 307,578
-1 -307,578

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 307,578.

Example:
1 x 307,578 = 307,578
and
-1 x -307,578 = 307,578
Notice both answers equal 307,578

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 307,578 and divide it by 2:

307,578 ÷ 2 = 153,789

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 153,789 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 2 153,789 307,578
-1 -2 -153,789 -307,578

Now, we try dividing 307,578 by 3:

307,578 ÷ 3 = 102,526

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 102,526 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 3 102,526 153,789 307,578
-1 -2 -3 -102,526 -153,789 -307,578

Let's try dividing by 4:

307,578 ÷ 4 = 76,894.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,894.5 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 3 102,526 153,789 307,578
-1 -2 -3 -102,526 -153,789 307,578
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123651,263102,526153,789307,578
-1-2-3-6-51,263-102,526-153,789-307,578

More Examples

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