Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 422,737?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4227377 x 60391131 x 3227461 x 917
Negative: -1 x -422737-7 x -60391-131 x -3227-461 x -917


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 422,737?

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 422,737, 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.

1 422,737
-1 -422,737

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 422,737.

Example:
1 x 422,737 = 422,737
and
-1 x -422,737 = 422,737
Notice both answers equal 422,737

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 422,737 and divide it by 2:

422,737 ÷ 2 = 211,368.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 211,368.5 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:

1 422,737
-1 -422,737

Now, we try dividing 422,737 by 3:

422,737 ÷ 3 = 140,912.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 140,912.3333 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:

1 422,737
-1 -422,737

Let's try dividing by 4:

422,737 ÷ 4 = 105,684.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 105,684.25 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:

1 422,737
-1 422,737
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171314619173,22760,391422,737
-1-7-131-461-917-3,227-60,391-422,737

More Examples

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