Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 508,415?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5084155 x 10168323 x 22105115 x 4421
Negative: -1 x -508415-5 x -101683-23 x -22105-115 x -4421


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 508,415?

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 508,415, 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.

1 508,415
-1 -508,415

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 508,415.

Example:
1 x 508,415 = 508,415
and
-1 x -508,415 = 508,415
Notice both answers equal 508,415

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 508,415 and divide it by 2:

508,415 ÷ 2 = 254,207.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 254,207.5 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:

1 508,415
-1 -508,415

Now, we try dividing 508,415 by 3:

508,415 ÷ 3 = 169,471.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 169,471.6667 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:

1 508,415
-1 -508,415

Let's try dividing by 4:

508,415 ÷ 4 = 127,103.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 127,103.75 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:

1 508,415
-1 508,415
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15231154,42122,105101,683508,415
-1-5-23-115-4,421-22,105-101,683-508,415

More Examples

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