Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 797,516?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7975162 x 3987584 x 199379
Negative: -1 x -797516-2 x -398758-4 x -199379


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 797,516?

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 797,516, 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.

1 797,516
-1 -797,516

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 797,516.

Example:
1 x 797,516 = 797,516
and
-1 x -797,516 = 797,516
Notice both answers equal 797,516

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 797,516 and divide it by 2:

797,516 ÷ 2 = 398,758

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 398,758 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 2 398,758 797,516
-1 -2 -398,758 -797,516

Now, we try dividing 797,516 by 3:

797,516 ÷ 3 = 265,838.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 265,838.6667 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 2 398,758 797,516
-1 -2 -398,758 -797,516

Let's try dividing by 4:

797,516 ÷ 4 = 199,379

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 199,379 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 4 199,379 398,758 797,516
-1 -2 -4 -199,379 -398,758 797,516
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124199,379398,758797,516
-1-2-4-199,379-398,758-797,516

More Examples

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