Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 738,463?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 73846311 x 6713317 x 43439121 x 6103187 x 3949359 x 2057
Negative: -1 x -738463-11 x -67133-17 x -43439-121 x -6103-187 x -3949-359 x -2057


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 738,463?

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 738,463, 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.

1 738,463
-1 -738,463

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 738,463.

Example:
1 x 738,463 = 738,463
and
-1 x -738,463 = 738,463
Notice both answers equal 738,463

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 738,463 and divide it by 2:

738,463 ÷ 2 = 369,231.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 369,231.5 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:

1 738,463
-1 -738,463

Now, we try dividing 738,463 by 3:

738,463 ÷ 3 = 246,154.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 246,154.3333 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:

1 738,463
-1 -738,463

Let's try dividing by 4:

738,463 ÷ 4 = 184,615.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 184,615.75 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:

1 738,463
-1 738,463
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111171211873592,0573,9496,10343,43967,133738,463
-1-11-17-121-187-359-2,057-3,949-6,103-43,439-67,133-738,463

More Examples

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