Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 634,434?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6344342 x 3172173 x 2114786 x 10573941 x 1547482 x 7737123 x 5158246 x 2579
Negative: -1 x -634434-2 x -317217-3 x -211478-6 x -105739-41 x -15474-82 x -7737-123 x -5158-246 x -2579


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 634,434?

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 634,434, 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.

1 634,434
-1 -634,434

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 634,434.

Example:
1 x 634,434 = 634,434
and
-1 x -634,434 = 634,434
Notice both answers equal 634,434

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 634,434 and divide it by 2:

634,434 ÷ 2 = 317,217

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 317,217 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 2 317,217 634,434
-1 -2 -317,217 -634,434

Now, we try dividing 634,434 by 3:

634,434 ÷ 3 = 211,478

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 211,478 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 3 211,478 317,217 634,434
-1 -2 -3 -211,478 -317,217 -634,434

Let's try dividing by 4:

634,434 ÷ 4 = 158,608.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 158,608.5 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 2 3 211,478 317,217 634,434
-1 -2 -3 -211,478 -317,217 634,434
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123641821232462,5795,1587,73715,474105,739211,478317,217634,434
-1-2-3-6-41-82-123-246-2,579-5,158-7,737-15,474-105,739-211,478-317,217-634,434

More Examples

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