Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 617,720?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6177202 x 3088604 x 1544305 x 1235448 x 7721510 x 6177220 x 3088640 x 15443
Negative: -1 x -617720-2 x -308860-4 x -154430-5 x -123544-8 x -77215-10 x -61772-20 x -30886-40 x -15443


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 617,720?

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 617,720, 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.

1 617,720
-1 -617,720

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 617,720.

Example:
1 x 617,720 = 617,720
and
-1 x -617,720 = 617,720
Notice both answers equal 617,720

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 617,720 and divide it by 2:

617,720 ÷ 2 = 308,860

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 308,860 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 2 308,860 617,720
-1 -2 -308,860 -617,720

Now, we try dividing 617,720 by 3:

617,720 ÷ 3 = 205,906.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 205,906.6667 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 2 308,860 617,720
-1 -2 -308,860 -617,720

Let's try dividing by 4:

617,720 ÷ 4 = 154,430

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 154,430 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 4 154,430 308,860 617,720
-1 -2 -4 -154,430 -308,860 617,720
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1245810204015,44330,88661,77277,215123,544154,430308,860617,720
-1-2-4-5-8-10-20-40-15,443-30,886-61,772-77,215-123,544-154,430-308,860-617,720

More Examples

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