Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 326,417?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3264177 x 4663113 x 2510917 x 1920191 x 3587119 x 2743211 x 1547221 x 1477
Negative: -1 x -326417-7 x -46631-13 x -25109-17 x -19201-91 x -3587-119 x -2743-211 x -1547-221 x -1477


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 326,417?

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 326,417, 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.

1 326,417
-1 -326,417

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 326,417.

Example:
1 x 326,417 = 326,417
and
-1 x -326,417 = 326,417
Notice both answers equal 326,417

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 326,417 and divide it by 2:

326,417 ÷ 2 = 163,208.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 163,208.5 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:

1 326,417
-1 -326,417

Now, we try dividing 326,417 by 3:

326,417 ÷ 3 = 108,805.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 108,805.6667 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:

1 326,417
-1 -326,417

Let's try dividing by 4:

326,417 ÷ 4 = 81,604.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 81,604.25 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:

1 326,417
-1 326,417
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171317911192112211,4771,5472,7433,58719,20125,10946,631326,417
-1-7-13-17-91-119-211-221-1,477-1,547-2,743-3,587-19,201-25,109-46,631-326,417

More Examples

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