Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 679,720?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6797202 x 3398604 x 1699305 x 1359448 x 8496510 x 6797220 x 3398640 x 16993
Negative: -1 x -679720-2 x -339860-4 x -169930-5 x -135944-8 x -84965-10 x -67972-20 x -33986-40 x -16993


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 679,720?

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 679,720, 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.

1 679,720
-1 -679,720

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 679,720.

Example:
1 x 679,720 = 679,720
and
-1 x -679,720 = 679,720
Notice both answers equal 679,720

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 679,720 and divide it by 2:

679,720 ÷ 2 = 339,860

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 339,860 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 2 339,860 679,720
-1 -2 -339,860 -679,720

Now, we try dividing 679,720 by 3:

679,720 ÷ 3 = 226,573.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 226,573.3333 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 2 339,860 679,720
-1 -2 -339,860 -679,720

Let's try dividing by 4:

679,720 ÷ 4 = 169,930

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 169,930 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 4 169,930 339,860 679,720
-1 -2 -4 -169,930 -339,860 679,720
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1245810204016,99333,98667,97284,965135,944169,930339,860679,720
-1-2-4-5-8-10-20-40-16,993-33,986-67,972-84,965-135,944-169,930-339,860-679,720

More Examples

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