Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 431,532?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4315322 x 2157663 x 1438444 x 1078836 x 719229 x 4794812 x 3596118 x 2397436 x 11987
Negative: -1 x -431532-2 x -215766-3 x -143844-4 x -107883-6 x -71922-9 x -47948-12 x -35961-18 x -23974-36 x -11987


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 431,532?

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 431,532, 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.

1 431,532
-1 -431,532

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 431,532.

Example:
1 x 431,532 = 431,532
and
-1 x -431,532 = 431,532
Notice both answers equal 431,532

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 431,532 and divide it by 2:

431,532 ÷ 2 = 215,766

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 215,766 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 2 215,766 431,532
-1 -2 -215,766 -431,532

Now, we try dividing 431,532 by 3:

431,532 ÷ 3 = 143,844

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 143,844 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 3 143,844 215,766 431,532
-1 -2 -3 -143,844 -215,766 -431,532

Let's try dividing by 4:

431,532 ÷ 4 = 107,883

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 107,883 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 4 107,883 143,844 215,766 431,532
-1 -2 -3 -4 -107,883 -143,844 -215,766 431,532
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346912183611,98723,97435,96147,94871,922107,883143,844215,766431,532
-1-2-3-4-6-9-12-18-36-11,987-23,974-35,961-47,948-71,922-107,883-143,844-215,766-431,532

More Examples

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