Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 471,665?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4716655 x 9433317 x 2774531 x 1521585 x 5549155 x 3043179 x 2635527 x 895
Negative: -1 x -471665-5 x -94333-17 x -27745-31 x -15215-85 x -5549-155 x -3043-179 x -2635-527 x -895


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 471,665?

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 471,665, 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.

1 471,665
-1 -471,665

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 471,665.

Example:
1 x 471,665 = 471,665
and
-1 x -471,665 = 471,665
Notice both answers equal 471,665

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 471,665 and divide it by 2:

471,665 ÷ 2 = 235,832.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 235,832.5 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:

1 471,665
-1 -471,665

Now, we try dividing 471,665 by 3:

471,665 ÷ 3 = 157,221.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 157,221.6667 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:

1 471,665
-1 -471,665

Let's try dividing by 4:

471,665 ÷ 4 = 117,916.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 117,916.25 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:

1 471,665
-1 471,665
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151731851551795278952,6353,0435,54915,21527,74594,333471,665
-1-5-17-31-85-155-179-527-895-2,635-3,043-5,549-15,215-27,745-94,333-471,665

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 471,665:


Ask a Question