Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 739,879?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7398797 x 10569719 x 38941133 x 5563
Negative: -1 x -739879-7 x -105697-19 x -38941-133 x -5563


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 739,879?

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 739,879, 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.

1 739,879
-1 -739,879

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 739,879.

Example:
1 x 739,879 = 739,879
and
-1 x -739,879 = 739,879
Notice both answers equal 739,879

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 739,879 and divide it by 2:

739,879 ÷ 2 = 369,939.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 369,939.5 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:

1 739,879
-1 -739,879

Now, we try dividing 739,879 by 3:

739,879 ÷ 3 = 246,626.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 246,626.3333 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:

1 739,879
-1 -739,879

Let's try dividing by 4:

739,879 ÷ 4 = 184,969.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 184,969.75 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:

1 739,879
-1 739,879
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17191335,56338,941105,697739,879
-1-7-19-133-5,563-38,941-105,697-739,879

More Examples

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