Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 496,136?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4961362 x 2480684 x 1240348 x 62017
Negative: -1 x -496136-2 x -248068-4 x -124034-8 x -62017


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 496,136?

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 496,136, 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.

1 496,136
-1 -496,136

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 496,136.

Example:
1 x 496,136 = 496,136
and
-1 x -496,136 = 496,136
Notice both answers equal 496,136

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 496,136 and divide it by 2:

496,136 ÷ 2 = 248,068

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 248,068 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 2 248,068 496,136
-1 -2 -248,068 -496,136

Now, we try dividing 496,136 by 3:

496,136 ÷ 3 = 165,378.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 165,378.6667 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 2 248,068 496,136
-1 -2 -248,068 -496,136

Let's try dividing by 4:

496,136 ÷ 4 = 124,034

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 124,034 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 4 124,034 248,068 496,136
-1 -2 -4 -124,034 -248,068 496,136
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124862,017124,034248,068496,136
-1-2-4-8-62,017-124,034-248,068-496,136

More Examples

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