Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 655,915?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6559155 x 13118313 x 5045565 x 10091
Negative: -1 x -655915-5 x -131183-13 x -50455-65 x -10091


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 655,915?

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 655,915, 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.

1 655,915
-1 -655,915

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 655,915.

Example:
1 x 655,915 = 655,915
and
-1 x -655,915 = 655,915
Notice both answers equal 655,915

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 655,915 and divide it by 2:

655,915 ÷ 2 = 327,957.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 327,957.5 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:

1 655,915
-1 -655,915

Now, we try dividing 655,915 by 3:

655,915 ÷ 3 = 218,638.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 218,638.3333 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:

1 655,915
-1 -655,915

Let's try dividing by 4:

655,915 ÷ 4 = 163,978.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 163,978.75 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:

1 655,915
-1 655,915
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15136510,09150,455131,183655,915
-1-5-13-65-10,091-50,455-131,183-655,915

More Examples

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