Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 678,002?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6780022 x 33900113 x 5215426 x 2607789 x 7618178 x 3809293 x 2314586 x 1157
Negative: -1 x -678002-2 x -339001-13 x -52154-26 x -26077-89 x -7618-178 x -3809-293 x -2314-586 x -1157


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 678,002?

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 678,002, 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.

1 678,002
-1 -678,002

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 678,002.

Example:
1 x 678,002 = 678,002
and
-1 x -678,002 = 678,002
Notice both answers equal 678,002

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 678,002 and divide it by 2:

678,002 ÷ 2 = 339,001

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 339,001 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 2 339,001 678,002
-1 -2 -339,001 -678,002

Now, we try dividing 678,002 by 3:

678,002 ÷ 3 = 226,000.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 226,000.6667 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 2 339,001 678,002
-1 -2 -339,001 -678,002

Let's try dividing by 4:

678,002 ÷ 4 = 169,500.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 169,500.5 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 2 339,001 678,002
-1 -2 -339,001 678,002
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

121326891782935861,1572,3143,8097,61826,07752,154339,001678,002
-1-2-13-26-89-178-293-586-1,157-2,314-3,809-7,618-26,077-52,154-339,001-678,002

More Examples

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