Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 397,454?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3974542 x 19872737 x 1074241 x 969474 x 537182 x 4847131 x 3034262 x 1517
Negative: -1 x -397454-2 x -198727-37 x -10742-41 x -9694-74 x -5371-82 x -4847-131 x -3034-262 x -1517


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 397,454?

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 397,454, 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.

1 397,454
-1 -397,454

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 397,454.

Example:
1 x 397,454 = 397,454
and
-1 x -397,454 = 397,454
Notice both answers equal 397,454

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 397,454 and divide it by 2:

397,454 ÷ 2 = 198,727

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 198,727 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 2 198,727 397,454
-1 -2 -198,727 -397,454

Now, we try dividing 397,454 by 3:

397,454 ÷ 3 = 132,484.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 132,484.6667 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 2 198,727 397,454
-1 -2 -198,727 -397,454

Let's try dividing by 4:

397,454 ÷ 4 = 99,363.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 99,363.5 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 2 198,727 397,454
-1 -2 -198,727 397,454
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12374174821312621,5173,0344,8475,3719,69410,742198,727397,454
-1-2-37-41-74-82-131-262-1,517-3,034-4,847-5,371-9,694-10,742-198,727-397,454

More Examples

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