Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 394,823?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 39482311 x 3589313 x 30371121 x 3263143 x 2761251 x 1573
Negative: -1 x -394823-11 x -35893-13 x -30371-121 x -3263-143 x -2761-251 x -1573


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 394,823?

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 394,823, 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.

1 394,823
-1 -394,823

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 394,823.

Example:
1 x 394,823 = 394,823
and
-1 x -394,823 = 394,823
Notice both answers equal 394,823

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 394,823 and divide it by 2:

394,823 ÷ 2 = 197,411.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 197,411.5 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:

1 394,823
-1 -394,823

Now, we try dividing 394,823 by 3:

394,823 ÷ 3 = 131,607.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 131,607.6667 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:

1 394,823
-1 -394,823

Let's try dividing by 4:

394,823 ÷ 4 = 98,705.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 98,705.75 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:

1 394,823
-1 394,823
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111131211432511,5732,7613,26330,37135,893394,823
-1-11-13-121-143-251-1,573-2,761-3,263-30,371-35,893-394,823

More Examples

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