Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 292,792?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2927922 x 1463964 x 731988 x 36599
Negative: -1 x -292792-2 x -146396-4 x -73198-8 x -36599


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 292,792?

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 292,792, 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.

1 292,792
-1 -292,792

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 292,792.

Example:
1 x 292,792 = 292,792
and
-1 x -292,792 = 292,792
Notice both answers equal 292,792

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 292,792 and divide it by 2:

292,792 ÷ 2 = 146,396

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 146,396 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 2 146,396 292,792
-1 -2 -146,396 -292,792

Now, we try dividing 292,792 by 3:

292,792 ÷ 3 = 97,597.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 97,597.3333 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 2 146,396 292,792
-1 -2 -146,396 -292,792

Let's try dividing by 4:

292,792 ÷ 4 = 73,198

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 73,198 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 4 73,198 146,396 292,792
-1 -2 -4 -73,198 -146,396 292,792
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124836,59973,198146,396292,792
-1-2-4-8-36,599-73,198-146,396-292,792

More Examples

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