Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 615,556?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6155562 x 3077784 x 153889
Negative: -1 x -615556-2 x -307778-4 x -153889


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 615,556?

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 615,556, 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.

1 615,556
-1 -615,556

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 615,556.

Example:
1 x 615,556 = 615,556
and
-1 x -615,556 = 615,556
Notice both answers equal 615,556

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 615,556 and divide it by 2:

615,556 ÷ 2 = 307,778

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 307,778 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 2 307,778 615,556
-1 -2 -307,778 -615,556

Now, we try dividing 615,556 by 3:

615,556 ÷ 3 = 205,185.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 205,185.3333 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 2 307,778 615,556
-1 -2 -307,778 -615,556

Let's try dividing by 4:

615,556 ÷ 4 = 153,889

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 153,889 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 4 153,889 307,778 615,556
-1 -2 -4 -153,889 -307,778 615,556
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124153,889307,778615,556
-1-2-4-153,889-307,778-615,556

More Examples

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