Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 429,268?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4292682 x 2146344 x 1073177 x 6132414 x 3066228 x 15331
Negative: -1 x -429268-2 x -214634-4 x -107317-7 x -61324-14 x -30662-28 x -15331


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 429,268?

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 429,268, 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.

1 429,268
-1 -429,268

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 429,268.

Example:
1 x 429,268 = 429,268
and
-1 x -429,268 = 429,268
Notice both answers equal 429,268

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 429,268 and divide it by 2:

429,268 ÷ 2 = 214,634

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 214,634 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 2 214,634 429,268
-1 -2 -214,634 -429,268

Now, we try dividing 429,268 by 3:

429,268 ÷ 3 = 143,089.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 143,089.3333 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 2 214,634 429,268
-1 -2 -214,634 -429,268

Let's try dividing by 4:

429,268 ÷ 4 = 107,317

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 107,317 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 4 107,317 214,634 429,268
-1 -2 -4 -107,317 -214,634 429,268
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1247142815,33130,66261,324107,317214,634429,268
-1-2-4-7-14-28-15,331-30,662-61,324-107,317-214,634-429,268

More Examples

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