Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 418,901?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4189017 x 5984349 x 854983 x 5047103 x 4067581 x 721
Negative: -1 x -418901-7 x -59843-49 x -8549-83 x -5047-103 x -4067-581 x -721


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 418,901?

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 418,901, 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.

1 418,901
-1 -418,901

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 418,901.

Example:
1 x 418,901 = 418,901
and
-1 x -418,901 = 418,901
Notice both answers equal 418,901

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 418,901 and divide it by 2:

418,901 ÷ 2 = 209,450.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 209,450.5 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:

1 418,901
-1 -418,901

Now, we try dividing 418,901 by 3:

418,901 ÷ 3 = 139,633.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 139,633.6667 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:

1 418,901
-1 -418,901

Let's try dividing by 4:

418,901 ÷ 4 = 104,725.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 104,725.25 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:

1 418,901
-1 418,901
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1749831035817214,0675,0478,54959,843418,901
-1-7-49-83-103-581-721-4,067-5,047-8,549-59,843-418,901

More Examples

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