Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 525,704?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5257042 x 2628524 x 1314268 x 65713
Negative: -1 x -525704-2 x -262852-4 x -131426-8 x -65713


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 525,704?

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 525,704, 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.

1 525,704
-1 -525,704

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 525,704.

Example:
1 x 525,704 = 525,704
and
-1 x -525,704 = 525,704
Notice both answers equal 525,704

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 525,704 and divide it by 2:

525,704 ÷ 2 = 262,852

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 262,852 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 2 262,852 525,704
-1 -2 -262,852 -525,704

Now, we try dividing 525,704 by 3:

525,704 ÷ 3 = 175,234.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 175,234.6667 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 2 262,852 525,704
-1 -2 -262,852 -525,704

Let's try dividing by 4:

525,704 ÷ 4 = 131,426

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 131,426 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 4 131,426 262,852 525,704
-1 -2 -4 -131,426 -262,852 525,704
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124865,713131,426262,852525,704
-1-2-4-8-65,713-131,426-262,852-525,704

More Examples

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