Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 608,965?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6089655 x 1217937 x 8699535 x 17399127 x 4795137 x 4445635 x 959685 x 889
Negative: -1 x -608965-5 x -121793-7 x -86995-35 x -17399-127 x -4795-137 x -4445-635 x -959-685 x -889


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 608,965?

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 608,965, 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.

1 608,965
-1 -608,965

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 608,965.

Example:
1 x 608,965 = 608,965
and
-1 x -608,965 = 608,965
Notice both answers equal 608,965

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 608,965 and divide it by 2:

608,965 ÷ 2 = 304,482.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 304,482.5 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:

1 608,965
-1 -608,965

Now, we try dividing 608,965 by 3:

608,965 ÷ 3 = 202,988.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 202,988.3333 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:

1 608,965
-1 -608,965

Let's try dividing by 4:

608,965 ÷ 4 = 152,241.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 152,241.25 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:

1 608,965
-1 608,965
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

157351271376356858899594,4454,79517,39986,995121,793608,965
-1-5-7-35-127-137-635-685-889-959-4,445-4,795-17,399-86,995-121,793-608,965

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