Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,104,959?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4104959521 x 7879
Negative: -1 x -4104959-521 x -7879


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,104,959?

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 4,104,959, 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 4,104,959
-1 -4,104,959

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 4,104,959.

Example:
1 x 4,104,959 = 4,104,959
and
-1 x -4,104,959 = 4,104,959
Notice both answers equal 4,104,959

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,104,959 and divide it by 2:

4,104,959 ÷ 2 = 2,052,479.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,052,479.5 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 4,104,959
-1 -4,104,959

Now, we try dividing 4,104,959 by 3:

4,104,959 ÷ 3 = 1,368,319.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,368,319.6667 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 4,104,959
-1 -4,104,959

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,104,959 ÷ 4 = 1,026,239.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,026,239.75 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 4,104,959
-1 4,104,959
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15217,8794,104,959
-1-521-7,879-4,104,959

More Examples

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