Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 487,668?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4876682 x 2438343 x 1625564 x 1219176 x 8127812 x 40639
Negative: -1 x -487668-2 x -243834-3 x -162556-4 x -121917-6 x -81278-12 x -40639


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 487,668?

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 487,668, 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.

1 487,668
-1 -487,668

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 487,668.

Example:
1 x 487,668 = 487,668
and
-1 x -487,668 = 487,668
Notice both answers equal 487,668

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 487,668 and divide it by 2:

487,668 ÷ 2 = 243,834

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 243,834 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 2 243,834 487,668
-1 -2 -243,834 -487,668

Now, we try dividing 487,668 by 3:

487,668 ÷ 3 = 162,556

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 162,556 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 3 162,556 243,834 487,668
-1 -2 -3 -162,556 -243,834 -487,668

Let's try dividing by 4:

487,668 ÷ 4 = 121,917

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 121,917 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 4 121,917 162,556 243,834 487,668
-1 -2 -3 -4 -121,917 -162,556 -243,834 487,668
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461240,63981,278121,917162,556243,834487,668
-1-2-3-4-6-12-40,639-81,278-121,917-162,556-243,834-487,668

More Examples

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