Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 490,062?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4900622 x 2450313 x 1633546 x 81677
Negative: -1 x -490062-2 x -245031-3 x -163354-6 x -81677


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 490,062?

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 490,062, 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.

1 490,062
-1 -490,062

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 490,062.

Example:
1 x 490,062 = 490,062
and
-1 x -490,062 = 490,062
Notice both answers equal 490,062

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 490,062 and divide it by 2:

490,062 ÷ 2 = 245,031

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 245,031 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 2 245,031 490,062
-1 -2 -245,031 -490,062

Now, we try dividing 490,062 by 3:

490,062 ÷ 3 = 163,354

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 163,354 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 3 163,354 245,031 490,062
-1 -2 -3 -163,354 -245,031 -490,062

Let's try dividing by 4:

490,062 ÷ 4 = 122,515.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 122,515.5 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 3 163,354 245,031 490,062
-1 -2 -3 -163,354 -245,031 490,062
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123681,677163,354245,031490,062
-1-2-3-6-81,677-163,354-245,031-490,062

More Examples

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