Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 46,602?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 466022 x 233013 x 155346 x 77679 x 517818 x 258927 x 172654 x 863
Negative: -1 x -46602-2 x -23301-3 x -15534-6 x -7767-9 x -5178-18 x -2589-27 x -1726-54 x -863


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 46,602?

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 46,602, 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 46,602
-1 -46,602

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 46,602.

Example:
1 x 46,602 = 46,602
and
-1 x -46,602 = 46,602
Notice both answers equal 46,602

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 46,602 and divide it by 2:

46,602 ÷ 2 = 23,301

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 23,301 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 23,301 46,602
-1 -2 -23,301 -46,602

Now, we try dividing 46,602 by 3:

46,602 ÷ 3 = 15,534

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 15,534 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 3 15,534 23,301 46,602
-1 -2 -3 -15,534 -23,301 -46,602

Let's try dividing by 4:

46,602 ÷ 4 = 11,650.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,650.5 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 2 3 15,534 23,301 46,602
-1 -2 -3 -15,534 -23,301 46,602
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123691827548631,7262,5895,1787,76715,53423,30146,602
-1-2-3-6-9-18-27-54-863-1,726-2,589-5,178-7,767-15,534-23,301-46,602

More Examples

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