Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 642,084?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6420842 x 3210423 x 2140284 x 1605216 x 10701412 x 53507
Negative: -1 x -642084-2 x -321042-3 x -214028-4 x -160521-6 x -107014-12 x -53507


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 642,084?

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 642,084, 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.

1 642,084
-1 -642,084

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 642,084.

Example:
1 x 642,084 = 642,084
and
-1 x -642,084 = 642,084
Notice both answers equal 642,084

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 642,084 and divide it by 2:

642,084 ÷ 2 = 321,042

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 321,042 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 2 321,042 642,084
-1 -2 -321,042 -642,084

Now, we try dividing 642,084 by 3:

642,084 ÷ 3 = 214,028

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 214,028 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 3 214,028 321,042 642,084
-1 -2 -3 -214,028 -321,042 -642,084

Let's try dividing by 4:

642,084 ÷ 4 = 160,521

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 160,521 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 4 160,521 214,028 321,042 642,084
-1 -2 -3 -4 -160,521 -214,028 -321,042 642,084
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461253,507107,014160,521214,028321,042642,084
-1-2-3-4-6-12-53,507-107,014-160,521-214,028-321,042-642,084

More Examples

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