Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 504,259?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5042597 x 7203741 x 1229949 x 10291251 x 2009287 x 1757
Negative: -1 x -504259-7 x -72037-41 x -12299-49 x -10291-251 x -2009-287 x -1757


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 504,259?

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 504,259, 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.

1 504,259
-1 -504,259

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 504,259.

Example:
1 x 504,259 = 504,259
and
-1 x -504,259 = 504,259
Notice both answers equal 504,259

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 504,259 and divide it by 2:

504,259 ÷ 2 = 252,129.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 252,129.5 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:

1 504,259
-1 -504,259

Now, we try dividing 504,259 by 3:

504,259 ÷ 3 = 168,086.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 168,086.3333 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:

1 504,259
-1 -504,259

Let's try dividing by 4:

504,259 ÷ 4 = 126,064.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 126,064.75 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:

1 504,259
-1 504,259
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1741492512871,7572,00910,29112,29972,037504,259
-1-7-41-49-251-287-1,757-2,009-10,291-12,299-72,037-504,259

More Examples

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