Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 438,449?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 43844911 x 3985923 x 19063253 x 1733
Negative: -1 x -438449-11 x -39859-23 x -19063-253 x -1733


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 438,449?

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 438,449, 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.

1 438,449
-1 -438,449

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 438,449.

Example:
1 x 438,449 = 438,449
and
-1 x -438,449 = 438,449
Notice both answers equal 438,449

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 438,449 and divide it by 2:

438,449 ÷ 2 = 219,224.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 219,224.5 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:

1 438,449
-1 -438,449

Now, we try dividing 438,449 by 3:

438,449 ÷ 3 = 146,149.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 146,149.6667 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:

1 438,449
-1 -438,449

Let's try dividing by 4:

438,449 ÷ 4 = 109,612.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 109,612.25 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:

1 438,449
-1 438,449
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111232531,73319,06339,859438,449
-1-11-23-253-1,733-19,063-39,859-438,449

More Examples

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