Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 74,440?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 744402 x 372204 x 186105 x 148888 x 930510 x 744420 x 372240 x 1861
Negative: -1 x -74440-2 x -37220-4 x -18610-5 x -14888-8 x -9305-10 x -7444-20 x -3722-40 x -1861


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 74,440?

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 74,440, 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 74,440
-1 -74,440

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 74,440.

Example:
1 x 74,440 = 74,440
and
-1 x -74,440 = 74,440
Notice both answers equal 74,440

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 74,440 and divide it by 2:

74,440 ÷ 2 = 37,220

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 37,220 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 37,220 74,440
-1 -2 -37,220 -74,440

Now, we try dividing 74,440 by 3:

74,440 ÷ 3 = 24,813.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 24,813.3333 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 37,220 74,440
-1 -2 -37,220 -74,440

Let's try dividing by 4:

74,440 ÷ 4 = 18,610

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 18,610 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 18,610 37,220 74,440
-1 -2 -4 -18,610 -37,220 74,440
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124581020401,8613,7227,4449,30514,88818,61037,22074,440
-1-2-4-5-8-10-20-40-1,861-3,722-7,444-9,305-14,888-18,610-37,220-74,440

More Examples

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