Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 396,955?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3969555 x 7939113 x 3053531 x 1280565 x 6107155 x 2561197 x 2015403 x 985
Negative: -1 x -396955-5 x -79391-13 x -30535-31 x -12805-65 x -6107-155 x -2561-197 x -2015-403 x -985


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 396,955?

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 396,955, 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.

1 396,955
-1 -396,955

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 396,955.

Example:
1 x 396,955 = 396,955
and
-1 x -396,955 = 396,955
Notice both answers equal 396,955

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 396,955 and divide it by 2:

396,955 ÷ 2 = 198,477.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 198,477.5 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:

1 396,955
-1 -396,955

Now, we try dividing 396,955 by 3:

396,955 ÷ 3 = 132,318.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 132,318.3333 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:

1 396,955
-1 -396,955

Let's try dividing by 4:

396,955 ÷ 4 = 99,238.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 99,238.75 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:

1 396,955
-1 396,955
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151331651551974039852,0152,5616,10712,80530,53579,391396,955
-1-5-13-31-65-155-197-403-985-2,015-2,561-6,107-12,805-30,535-79,391-396,955

More Examples

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