Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 237,797?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2377977 x 3397123 x 1033949 x 4853161 x 1477211 x 1127
Negative: -1 x -237797-7 x -33971-23 x -10339-49 x -4853-161 x -1477-211 x -1127


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 237,797?

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 237,797, 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.

1 237,797
-1 -237,797

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 237,797.

Example:
1 x 237,797 = 237,797
and
-1 x -237,797 = 237,797
Notice both answers equal 237,797

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 237,797 and divide it by 2:

237,797 ÷ 2 = 118,898.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 118,898.5 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:

1 237,797
-1 -237,797

Now, we try dividing 237,797 by 3:

237,797 ÷ 3 = 79,265.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 79,265.6667 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:

1 237,797
-1 -237,797

Let's try dividing by 4:

237,797 ÷ 4 = 59,449.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,449.25 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:

1 237,797
-1 237,797
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1723491612111,1271,4774,85310,33933,971237,797
-1-7-23-49-161-211-1,127-1,477-4,853-10,339-33,971-237,797

More Examples

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