Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 5,389,493?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 538949317 x 317029
Negative: -1 x -5389493-17 x -317029


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 5,389,493?

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 5,389,493, 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 5,389,493
-1 -5,389,493

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 5,389,493.

Example:
1 x 5,389,493 = 5,389,493
and
-1 x -5,389,493 = 5,389,493
Notice both answers equal 5,389,493

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 5,389,493 and divide it by 2:

5,389,493 ÷ 2 = 2,694,746.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,694,746.5 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 5,389,493
-1 -5,389,493

Now, we try dividing 5,389,493 by 3:

5,389,493 ÷ 3 = 1,796,497.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,796,497.6667 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 5,389,493
-1 -5,389,493

Let's try dividing by 4:

5,389,493 ÷ 4 = 1,347,373.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,347,373.25 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 5,389,493
-1 5,389,493
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

117317,0295,389,493
-1-17-317,029-5,389,493

More Examples

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