Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 602,591?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 60259111 x 5478129 x 20779319 x 1889
Negative: -1 x -602591-11 x -54781-29 x -20779-319 x -1889


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 602,591?

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 602,591, 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.

1 602,591
-1 -602,591

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 602,591.

Example:
1 x 602,591 = 602,591
and
-1 x -602,591 = 602,591
Notice both answers equal 602,591

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 602,591 and divide it by 2:

602,591 ÷ 2 = 301,295.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 301,295.5 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:

1 602,591
-1 -602,591

Now, we try dividing 602,591 by 3:

602,591 ÷ 3 = 200,863.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 200,863.6667 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:

1 602,591
-1 -602,591

Let's try dividing by 4:

602,591 ÷ 4 = 150,647.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 150,647.75 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:

1 602,591
-1 602,591
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111293191,88920,77954,781602,591
-1-11-29-319-1,889-20,779-54,781-602,591

More Examples

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