Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 294,092?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2940922 x 1470464 x 73523
Negative: -1 x -294092-2 x -147046-4 x -73523


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 294,092?

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 294,092, 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.

1 294,092
-1 -294,092

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 294,092.

Example:
1 x 294,092 = 294,092
and
-1 x -294,092 = 294,092
Notice both answers equal 294,092

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 294,092 and divide it by 2:

294,092 ÷ 2 = 147,046

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 147,046 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 2 147,046 294,092
-1 -2 -147,046 -294,092

Now, we try dividing 294,092 by 3:

294,092 ÷ 3 = 98,030.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 98,030.6667 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 2 147,046 294,092
-1 -2 -147,046 -294,092

Let's try dividing by 4:

294,092 ÷ 4 = 73,523

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 73,523 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 73,523 147,046 294,092
-1 -2 -4 -73,523 -147,046 294,092
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12473,523147,046294,092
-1-2-4-73,523-147,046-294,092

More Examples

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