Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 328,472?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3284722 x 1642364 x 821188 x 4105919 x 1728838 x 864476 x 4322152 x 2161
Negative: -1 x -328472-2 x -164236-4 x -82118-8 x -41059-19 x -17288-38 x -8644-76 x -4322-152 x -2161


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 328,472?

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 328,472, 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.

1 328,472
-1 -328,472

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 328,472.

Example:
1 x 328,472 = 328,472
and
-1 x -328,472 = 328,472
Notice both answers equal 328,472

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 328,472 and divide it by 2:

328,472 ÷ 2 = 164,236

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 164,236 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 2 164,236 328,472
-1 -2 -164,236 -328,472

Now, we try dividing 328,472 by 3:

328,472 ÷ 3 = 109,490.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 109,490.6667 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 2 164,236 328,472
-1 -2 -164,236 -328,472

Let's try dividing by 4:

328,472 ÷ 4 = 82,118

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 82,118 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 82,118 164,236 328,472
-1 -2 -4 -82,118 -164,236 328,472
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481938761522,1614,3228,64417,28841,05982,118164,236328,472
-1-2-4-8-19-38-76-152-2,161-4,322-8,644-17,288-41,059-82,118-164,236-328,472

More Examples

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