Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 245,796?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2457962 x 1228983 x 819324 x 614496 x 4096612 x 20483
Negative: -1 x -245796-2 x -122898-3 x -81932-4 x -61449-6 x -40966-12 x -20483


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 245,796?

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 245,796, 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.

1 245,796
-1 -245,796

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 245,796.

Example:
1 x 245,796 = 245,796
and
-1 x -245,796 = 245,796
Notice both answers equal 245,796

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 245,796 and divide it by 2:

245,796 ÷ 2 = 122,898

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 122,898 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 2 122,898 245,796
-1 -2 -122,898 -245,796

Now, we try dividing 245,796 by 3:

245,796 ÷ 3 = 81,932

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 81,932 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 81,932 122,898 245,796
-1 -2 -3 -81,932 -122,898 -245,796

Let's try dividing by 4:

245,796 ÷ 4 = 61,449

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 61,449 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 61,449 81,932 122,898 245,796
-1 -2 -3 -4 -61,449 -81,932 -122,898 245,796
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461220,48340,96661,44981,932122,898245,796
-1-2-3-4-6-12-20,483-40,966-61,449-81,932-122,898-245,796

More Examples

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