Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 1,502,387?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 150238719 x 79073107 x 14041739 x 2033
Negative: -1 x -1502387-19 x -79073-107 x -14041-739 x -2033


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 1,502,387?

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 1,502,387, 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 1,502,387
-1 -1,502,387

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 1,502,387.

Example:
1 x 1,502,387 = 1,502,387
and
-1 x -1,502,387 = 1,502,387
Notice both answers equal 1,502,387

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 1,502,387 and divide it by 2:

1,502,387 ÷ 2 = 751,193.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 751,193.5 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 1,502,387
-1 -1,502,387

Now, we try dividing 1,502,387 by 3:

1,502,387 ÷ 3 = 500,795.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 500,795.6667 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 1,502,387
-1 -1,502,387

Let's try dividing by 4:

1,502,387 ÷ 4 = 375,596.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 375,596.75 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 1,502,387
-1 1,502,387
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1191077392,03314,04179,0731,502,387
-1-19-107-739-2,033-14,041-79,073-1,502,387

More Examples

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