Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 44,996?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 449962 x 224984 x 112497 x 642814 x 321428 x 1607
Negative: -1 x -44996-2 x -22498-4 x -11249-7 x -6428-14 x -3214-28 x -1607


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 44,996?

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 44,996, 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 44,996
-1 -44,996

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 44,996.

Example:
1 x 44,996 = 44,996
and
-1 x -44,996 = 44,996
Notice both answers equal 44,996

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 44,996 and divide it by 2:

44,996 ÷ 2 = 22,498

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 22,498 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 22,498 44,996
-1 -2 -22,498 -44,996

Now, we try dividing 44,996 by 3:

44,996 ÷ 3 = 14,998.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,998.6667 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 2 22,498 44,996
-1 -2 -22,498 -44,996

Let's try dividing by 4:

44,996 ÷ 4 = 11,249

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,249 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 11,249 22,498 44,996
-1 -2 -4 -11,249 -22,498 44,996
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124714281,6073,2146,42811,24922,49844,996
-1-2-4-7-14-28-1,607-3,214-6,428-11,249-22,498-44,996

More Examples

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