Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,900,169?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 39001697 x 55716713 x 30001391 x 42859
Negative: -1 x -3900169-7 x -557167-13 x -300013-91 x -42859


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,900,169?

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 3,900,169, 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 3,900,169
-1 -3,900,169

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 3,900,169.

Example:
1 x 3,900,169 = 3,900,169
and
-1 x -3,900,169 = 3,900,169
Notice both answers equal 3,900,169

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,900,169 and divide it by 2:

3,900,169 ÷ 2 = 1,950,084.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,950,084.5 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 3,900,169
-1 -3,900,169

Now, we try dividing 3,900,169 by 3:

3,900,169 ÷ 3 = 1,300,056.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,300,056.3333 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 3,900,169
-1 -3,900,169

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,900,169 ÷ 4 = 975,042.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 975,042.25 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 3,900,169
-1 3,900,169
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17139142,859300,013557,1673,900,169
-1-7-13-91-42,859-300,013-557,167-3,900,169

More Examples

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