Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 633,428?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6334282 x 3167144 x 158357
Negative: -1 x -633428-2 x -316714-4 x -158357


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 633,428?

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 633,428, 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.

1 633,428
-1 -633,428

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 633,428.

Example:
1 x 633,428 = 633,428
and
-1 x -633,428 = 633,428
Notice both answers equal 633,428

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 633,428 and divide it by 2:

633,428 ÷ 2 = 316,714

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 316,714 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 2 316,714 633,428
-1 -2 -316,714 -633,428

Now, we try dividing 633,428 by 3:

633,428 ÷ 3 = 211,142.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 211,142.6667 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 2 316,714 633,428
-1 -2 -316,714 -633,428

Let's try dividing by 4:

633,428 ÷ 4 = 158,357

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 158,357 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 4 158,357 316,714 633,428
-1 -2 -4 -158,357 -316,714 633,428
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124158,357316,714633,428
-1-2-4-158,357-316,714-633,428

More Examples

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