Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 585,668?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5856682 x 2928344 x 146417
Negative: -1 x -585668-2 x -292834-4 x -146417


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 585,668?

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 585,668, 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.

1 585,668
-1 -585,668

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 585,668.

Example:
1 x 585,668 = 585,668
and
-1 x -585,668 = 585,668
Notice both answers equal 585,668

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 585,668 and divide it by 2:

585,668 ÷ 2 = 292,834

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 292,834 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 2 292,834 585,668
-1 -2 -292,834 -585,668

Now, we try dividing 585,668 by 3:

585,668 ÷ 3 = 195,222.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 195,222.6667 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 2 292,834 585,668
-1 -2 -292,834 -585,668

Let's try dividing by 4:

585,668 ÷ 4 = 146,417

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 146,417 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 4 146,417 292,834 585,668
-1 -2 -4 -146,417 -292,834 585,668
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124146,417292,834585,668
-1-2-4-146,417-292,834-585,668

More Examples

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