Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 348,748?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3487482 x 1743744 x 87187
Negative: -1 x -348748-2 x -174374-4 x -87187


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 348,748?

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 348,748, 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.

1 348,748
-1 -348,748

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 348,748.

Example:
1 x 348,748 = 348,748
and
-1 x -348,748 = 348,748
Notice both answers equal 348,748

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 348,748 and divide it by 2:

348,748 ÷ 2 = 174,374

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 174,374 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 2 174,374 348,748
-1 -2 -174,374 -348,748

Now, we try dividing 348,748 by 3:

348,748 ÷ 3 = 116,249.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 116,249.3333 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 2 174,374 348,748
-1 -2 -174,374 -348,748

Let's try dividing by 4:

348,748 ÷ 4 = 87,187

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 87,187 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 87,187 174,374 348,748
-1 -2 -4 -87,187 -174,374 348,748
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12487,187174,374348,748
-1-2-4-87,187-174,374-348,748

More Examples

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