Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 472,794?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4727942 x 2363973 x 1575986 x 787997 x 6754214 x 3377121 x 2251442 x 11257
Negative: -1 x -472794-2 x -236397-3 x -157598-6 x -78799-7 x -67542-14 x -33771-21 x -22514-42 x -11257


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 472,794?

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 472,794, 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.

1 472,794
-1 -472,794

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 472,794.

Example:
1 x 472,794 = 472,794
and
-1 x -472,794 = 472,794
Notice both answers equal 472,794

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 472,794 and divide it by 2:

472,794 ÷ 2 = 236,397

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 236,397 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 2 236,397 472,794
-1 -2 -236,397 -472,794

Now, we try dividing 472,794 by 3:

472,794 ÷ 3 = 157,598

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 157,598 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 3 157,598 236,397 472,794
-1 -2 -3 -157,598 -236,397 -472,794

Let's try dividing by 4:

472,794 ÷ 4 = 118,198.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 118,198.5 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 3 157,598 236,397 472,794
-1 -2 -3 -157,598 -236,397 472,794
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1236714214211,25722,51433,77167,54278,799157,598236,397472,794
-1-2-3-6-7-14-21-42-11,257-22,514-33,771-67,542-78,799-157,598-236,397-472,794

More Examples

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