Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 49,546?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 495462 x 247737 x 707814 x 3539
Negative: -1 x -49546-2 x -24773-7 x -7078-14 x -3539


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 49,546?

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 49,546, 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 49,546
-1 -49,546

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 49,546.

Example:
1 x 49,546 = 49,546
and
-1 x -49,546 = 49,546
Notice both answers equal 49,546

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 49,546 and divide it by 2:

49,546 ÷ 2 = 24,773

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 24,773 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 24,773 49,546
-1 -2 -24,773 -49,546

Now, we try dividing 49,546 by 3:

49,546 ÷ 3 = 16,515.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,515.3333 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 2 24,773 49,546
-1 -2 -24,773 -49,546

Let's try dividing by 4:

49,546 ÷ 4 = 12,386.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,386.5 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 24,773 49,546
-1 -2 -24,773 49,546
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

127143,5397,07824,77349,546
-1-2-7-14-3,539-7,078-24,773-49,546

More Examples

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