Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 456,944?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4569442 x 2284724 x 1142368 x 5711816 x 28559
Negative: -1 x -456944-2 x -228472-4 x -114236-8 x -57118-16 x -28559


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 456,944?

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 456,944, 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.

1 456,944
-1 -456,944

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 456,944.

Example:
1 x 456,944 = 456,944
and
-1 x -456,944 = 456,944
Notice both answers equal 456,944

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 456,944 and divide it by 2:

456,944 ÷ 2 = 228,472

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 228,472 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 2 228,472 456,944
-1 -2 -228,472 -456,944

Now, we try dividing 456,944 by 3:

456,944 ÷ 3 = 152,314.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 152,314.6667 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 2 228,472 456,944
-1 -2 -228,472 -456,944

Let's try dividing by 4:

456,944 ÷ 4 = 114,236

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 114,236 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 4 114,236 228,472 456,944
-1 -2 -4 -114,236 -228,472 456,944
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481628,55957,118114,236228,472456,944
-1-2-4-8-16-28,559-57,118-114,236-228,472-456,944

More Examples

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