Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,948?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 39482 x 19743 x 13164 x 9876 x 6587 x 56412 x 32914 x 28221 x 18828 x 14142 x 9447 x 84
Negative: -1 x -3948-2 x -1974-3 x -1316-4 x -987-6 x -658-7 x -564-12 x -329-14 x -282-21 x -188-28 x -141-42 x -94-47 x -84


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,948?

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 3,948, 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 3,948
-1 -3,948

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 3,948.

Example:
1 x 3,948 = 3,948
and
-1 x -3,948 = 3,948
Notice both answers equal 3,948

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,948 and divide it by 2:

3,948 ÷ 2 = 1,974

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,974 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 1,974 3,948
-1 -2 -1,974 -3,948

Now, we try dividing 3,948 by 3:

3,948 ÷ 3 = 1,316

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,316 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 3 1,316 1,974 3,948
-1 -2 -3 -1,316 -1,974 -3,948

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,948 ÷ 4 = 987

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 987 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 3 4 987 1,316 1,974 3,948
-1 -2 -3 -4 -987 -1,316 -1,974 3,948
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346712142128424784941411882823295646589871,3161,9743,948
-1-2-3-4-6-7-12-14-21-28-42-47-84-94-141-188-282-329-564-658-987-1,316-1,974-3,948

More Examples

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