Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 787,748?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7877482 x 3938744 x 19693713 x 6059626 x 3029852 x 15149
Negative: -1 x -787748-2 x -393874-4 x -196937-13 x -60596-26 x -30298-52 x -15149


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 787,748?

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 787,748, 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.

1 787,748
-1 -787,748

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 787,748.

Example:
1 x 787,748 = 787,748
and
-1 x -787,748 = 787,748
Notice both answers equal 787,748

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 787,748 and divide it by 2:

787,748 ÷ 2 = 393,874

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 393,874 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 2 393,874 787,748
-1 -2 -393,874 -787,748

Now, we try dividing 787,748 by 3:

787,748 ÷ 3 = 262,582.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 262,582.6667 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 2 393,874 787,748
-1 -2 -393,874 -787,748

Let's try dividing by 4:

787,748 ÷ 4 = 196,937

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 196,937 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 4 196,937 393,874 787,748
-1 -2 -4 -196,937 -393,874 787,748
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12413265215,14930,29860,596196,937393,874787,748
-1-2-4-13-26-52-15,149-30,298-60,596-196,937-393,874-787,748

More Examples

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