Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 48,798?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 487982 x 243993 x 162666 x 81339 x 542218 x 2711
Negative: -1 x -48798-2 x -24399-3 x -16266-6 x -8133-9 x -5422-18 x -2711


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 48,798?

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 48,798, 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 48,798
-1 -48,798

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 48,798.

Example:
1 x 48,798 = 48,798
and
-1 x -48,798 = 48,798
Notice both answers equal 48,798

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 48,798 and divide it by 2:

48,798 ÷ 2 = 24,399

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 24,399 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 24,399 48,798
-1 -2 -24,399 -48,798

Now, we try dividing 48,798 by 3:

48,798 ÷ 3 = 16,266

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,266 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 16,266 24,399 48,798
-1 -2 -3 -16,266 -24,399 -48,798

Let's try dividing by 4:

48,798 ÷ 4 = 12,199.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,199.5 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 16,266 24,399 48,798
-1 -2 -3 -16,266 -24,399 48,798
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12369182,7115,4228,13316,26624,39948,798
-1-2-3-6-9-18-2,711-5,422-8,133-16,266-24,399-48,798

More Examples

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