Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 311,048?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3110482 x 1555244 x 777628 x 3888159 x 5272118 x 2636236 x 1318472 x 659
Negative: -1 x -311048-2 x -155524-4 x -77762-8 x -38881-59 x -5272-118 x -2636-236 x -1318-472 x -659


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 311,048?

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 311,048, 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.

1 311,048
-1 -311,048

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 311,048.

Example:
1 x 311,048 = 311,048
and
-1 x -311,048 = 311,048
Notice both answers equal 311,048

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 311,048 and divide it by 2:

311,048 ÷ 2 = 155,524

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 155,524 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 2 155,524 311,048
-1 -2 -155,524 -311,048

Now, we try dividing 311,048 by 3:

311,048 ÷ 3 = 103,682.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 103,682.6667 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 2 155,524 311,048
-1 -2 -155,524 -311,048

Let's try dividing by 4:

311,048 ÷ 4 = 77,762

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,762 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 77,762 155,524 311,048
-1 -2 -4 -77,762 -155,524 311,048
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248591182364726591,3182,6365,27238,88177,762155,524311,048
-1-2-4-8-59-118-236-472-659-1,318-2,636-5,272-38,881-77,762-155,524-311,048

More Examples

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