Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 491,388?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4913882 x 2456943 x 1637964 x 1228476 x 8189812 x 40949
Negative: -1 x -491388-2 x -245694-3 x -163796-4 x -122847-6 x -81898-12 x -40949


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 491,388?

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 491,388, 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.

1 491,388
-1 -491,388

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 491,388.

Example:
1 x 491,388 = 491,388
and
-1 x -491,388 = 491,388
Notice both answers equal 491,388

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 491,388 and divide it by 2:

491,388 ÷ 2 = 245,694

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 245,694 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 2 245,694 491,388
-1 -2 -245,694 -491,388

Now, we try dividing 491,388 by 3:

491,388 ÷ 3 = 163,796

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 163,796 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 3 163,796 245,694 491,388
-1 -2 -3 -163,796 -245,694 -491,388

Let's try dividing by 4:

491,388 ÷ 4 = 122,847

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 122,847 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 4 122,847 163,796 245,694 491,388
-1 -2 -3 -4 -122,847 -163,796 -245,694 491,388
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461240,94981,898122,847163,796245,694491,388
-1-2-3-4-6-12-40,949-81,898-122,847-163,796-245,694-491,388

More Examples

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