Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 389,975?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3899755 x 7799519 x 2052525 x 1559995 x 4105475 x 821
Negative: -1 x -389975-5 x -77995-19 x -20525-25 x -15599-95 x -4105-475 x -821


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 389,975?

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 389,975, 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.

1 389,975
-1 -389,975

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 389,975.

Example:
1 x 389,975 = 389,975
and
-1 x -389,975 = 389,975
Notice both answers equal 389,975

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 389,975 and divide it by 2:

389,975 ÷ 2 = 194,987.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 194,987.5 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:

1 389,975
-1 -389,975

Now, we try dividing 389,975 by 3:

389,975 ÷ 3 = 129,991.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 129,991.6667 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:

1 389,975
-1 -389,975

Let's try dividing by 4:

389,975 ÷ 4 = 97,493.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 97,493.75 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:

1 389,975
-1 389,975
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151925954758214,10515,59920,52577,995389,975
-1-5-19-25-95-475-821-4,105-15,599-20,525-77,995-389,975

More Examples

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