Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,901,149?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 490114911 x 445559113 x 433731243 x 3943
Negative: -1 x -4901149-11 x -445559-113 x -43373-1243 x -3943


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,901,149?

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 4,901,149, 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 4,901,149
-1 -4,901,149

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 4,901,149.

Example:
1 x 4,901,149 = 4,901,149
and
-1 x -4,901,149 = 4,901,149
Notice both answers equal 4,901,149

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,901,149 and divide it by 2:

4,901,149 ÷ 2 = 2,450,574.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,450,574.5 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 4,901,149
-1 -4,901,149

Now, we try dividing 4,901,149 by 3:

4,901,149 ÷ 3 = 1,633,716.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,633,716.3333 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 4,901,149
-1 -4,901,149

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,901,149 ÷ 4 = 1,225,287.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,225,287.25 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 4,901,149
-1 4,901,149
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111131,2433,94343,373445,5594,901,149
-1-11-113-1,243-3,943-43,373-445,559-4,901,149

More Examples

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