Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 424,792?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4247922 x 2123964 x 1061988 x 5309929 x 1464858 x 7324116 x 3662232 x 1831
Negative: -1 x -424792-2 x -212396-4 x -106198-8 x -53099-29 x -14648-58 x -7324-116 x -3662-232 x -1831


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 424,792?

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 424,792, 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.

1 424,792
-1 -424,792

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 424,792.

Example:
1 x 424,792 = 424,792
and
-1 x -424,792 = 424,792
Notice both answers equal 424,792

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 424,792 and divide it by 2:

424,792 ÷ 2 = 212,396

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 212,396 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 2 212,396 424,792
-1 -2 -212,396 -424,792

Now, we try dividing 424,792 by 3:

424,792 ÷ 3 = 141,597.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 141,597.3333 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 2 212,396 424,792
-1 -2 -212,396 -424,792

Let's try dividing by 4:

424,792 ÷ 4 = 106,198

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 106,198 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 4 106,198 212,396 424,792
-1 -2 -4 -106,198 -212,396 424,792
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124829581162321,8313,6627,32414,64853,099106,198212,396424,792
-1-2-4-8-29-58-116-232-1,831-3,662-7,324-14,648-53,099-106,198-212,396-424,792

More Examples

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