Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,104,962?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 41049622 x 2052481103 x 39854206 x 19927
Negative: -1 x -4104962-2 x -2052481-103 x -39854-206 x -19927


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,104,962?

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 4,104,962, 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 4,104,962
-1 -4,104,962

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 4,104,962.

Example:
1 x 4,104,962 = 4,104,962
and
-1 x -4,104,962 = 4,104,962
Notice both answers equal 4,104,962

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,104,962 and divide it by 2:

4,104,962 ÷ 2 = 2,052,481

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,052,481 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 2,052,481 4,104,962
-1 -2 -2,052,481 -4,104,962

Now, we try dividing 4,104,962 by 3:

4,104,962 ÷ 3 = 1,368,320.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,368,320.6667 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 2,052,481 4,104,962
-1 -2 -2,052,481 -4,104,962

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,104,962 ÷ 4 = 1,026,240.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,026,240.5 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 2,052,481 4,104,962
-1 -2 -2,052,481 4,104,962
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1210320619,92739,8542,052,4814,104,962
-1-2-103-206-19,927-39,854-2,052,481-4,104,962

More Examples

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