Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 392,188?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3921882 x 1960944 x 98047
Negative: -1 x -392188-2 x -196094-4 x -98047


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 392,188?

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 392,188, 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.

1 392,188
-1 -392,188

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 392,188.

Example:
1 x 392,188 = 392,188
and
-1 x -392,188 = 392,188
Notice both answers equal 392,188

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 392,188 and divide it by 2:

392,188 ÷ 2 = 196,094

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 196,094 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 2 196,094 392,188
-1 -2 -196,094 -392,188

Now, we try dividing 392,188 by 3:

392,188 ÷ 3 = 130,729.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 130,729.3333 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 2 196,094 392,188
-1 -2 -196,094 -392,188

Let's try dividing by 4:

392,188 ÷ 4 = 98,047

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 98,047 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 98,047 196,094 392,188
-1 -2 -4 -98,047 -196,094 392,188
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12498,047196,094392,188
-1-2-4-98,047-196,094-392,188

More Examples

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