Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 689,189?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 689189617 x 1117
Negative: -1 x -689189-617 x -1117


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 689,189?

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 689,189, 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.

1 689,189
-1 -689,189

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 689,189.

Example:
1 x 689,189 = 689,189
and
-1 x -689,189 = 689,189
Notice both answers equal 689,189

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 689,189 and divide it by 2:

689,189 ÷ 2 = 344,594.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 344,594.5 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:

1 689,189
-1 -689,189

Now, we try dividing 689,189 by 3:

689,189 ÷ 3 = 229,729.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 229,729.6667 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:

1 689,189
-1 -689,189

Let's try dividing by 4:

689,189 ÷ 4 = 172,297.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 172,297.25 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:

1 689,189
-1 689,189
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

16171,117689,189
-1-617-1,117-689,189

More Examples

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