Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 693,428?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6934282 x 3467144 x 173357
Negative: -1 x -693428-2 x -346714-4 x -173357


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 693,428?

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 693,428, 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.

1 693,428
-1 -693,428

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 693,428.

Example:
1 x 693,428 = 693,428
and
-1 x -693,428 = 693,428
Notice both answers equal 693,428

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 693,428 and divide it by 2:

693,428 ÷ 2 = 346,714

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 346,714 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 2 346,714 693,428
-1 -2 -346,714 -693,428

Now, we try dividing 693,428 by 3:

693,428 ÷ 3 = 231,142.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 231,142.6667 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 2 346,714 693,428
-1 -2 -346,714 -693,428

Let's try dividing by 4:

693,428 ÷ 4 = 173,357

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 173,357 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 4 173,357 346,714 693,428
-1 -2 -4 -173,357 -346,714 693,428
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124173,357346,714693,428
-1-2-4-173,357-346,714-693,428

More Examples

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