Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 498,354?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4983542 x 2491773 x 1661186 x 83059
Negative: -1 x -498354-2 x -249177-3 x -166118-6 x -83059


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 498,354?

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 498,354, 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.

1 498,354
-1 -498,354

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 498,354.

Example:
1 x 498,354 = 498,354
and
-1 x -498,354 = 498,354
Notice both answers equal 498,354

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 498,354 and divide it by 2:

498,354 ÷ 2 = 249,177

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 249,177 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 2 249,177 498,354
-1 -2 -249,177 -498,354

Now, we try dividing 498,354 by 3:

498,354 ÷ 3 = 166,118

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 166,118 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 3 166,118 249,177 498,354
-1 -2 -3 -166,118 -249,177 -498,354

Let's try dividing by 4:

498,354 ÷ 4 = 124,588.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 124,588.5 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 3 166,118 249,177 498,354
-1 -2 -3 -166,118 -249,177 498,354
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123683,059166,118249,177498,354
-1-2-3-6-83,059-166,118-249,177-498,354

More Examples

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