Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,940,491?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 49404911117 x 4423
Negative: -1 x -4940491-1117 x -4423


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,940,491?

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 4,940,491, 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 4,940,491
-1 -4,940,491

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 4,940,491.

Example:
1 x 4,940,491 = 4,940,491
and
-1 x -4,940,491 = 4,940,491
Notice both answers equal 4,940,491

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,940,491 and divide it by 2:

4,940,491 ÷ 2 = 2,470,245.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,470,245.5 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 4,940,491
-1 -4,940,491

Now, we try dividing 4,940,491 by 3:

4,940,491 ÷ 3 = 1,646,830.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,646,830.3333 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 4,940,491
-1 -4,940,491

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,940,491 ÷ 4 = 1,235,122.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,235,122.75 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 4,940,491
-1 4,940,491
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,1174,4234,940,491
-1-1,117-4,423-4,940,491

More Examples

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