Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 1,234,938?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 12349382 x 6174693 x 4116466 x 205823
Negative: -1 x -1234938-2 x -617469-3 x -411646-6 x -205823


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 1,234,938?

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 1,234,938, 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 1,234,938
-1 -1,234,938

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 1,234,938.

Example:
1 x 1,234,938 = 1,234,938
and
-1 x -1,234,938 = 1,234,938
Notice both answers equal 1,234,938

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 1,234,938 and divide it by 2:

1,234,938 ÷ 2 = 617,469

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 617,469 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 2 617,469 1,234,938
-1 -2 -617,469 -1,234,938

Now, we try dividing 1,234,938 by 3:

1,234,938 ÷ 3 = 411,646

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 411,646 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 3 411,646 617,469 1,234,938
-1 -2 -3 -411,646 -617,469 -1,234,938

Let's try dividing by 4:

1,234,938 ÷ 4 = 308,734.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 308,734.5 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 2 3 411,646 617,469 1,234,938
-1 -2 -3 -411,646 -617,469 1,234,938
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1236205,823411,646617,4691,234,938
-1-2-3-6-205,823-411,646-617,469-1,234,938

More Examples

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