Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 798,726?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7987262 x 3993633 x 2662426 x 133121
Negative: -1 x -798726-2 x -399363-3 x -266242-6 x -133121


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 798,726?

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 798,726, 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.

1 798,726
-1 -798,726

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 798,726.

Example:
1 x 798,726 = 798,726
and
-1 x -798,726 = 798,726
Notice both answers equal 798,726

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 798,726 and divide it by 2:

798,726 ÷ 2 = 399,363

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 399,363 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 2 399,363 798,726
-1 -2 -399,363 -798,726

Now, we try dividing 798,726 by 3:

798,726 ÷ 3 = 266,242

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 266,242 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 3 266,242 399,363 798,726
-1 -2 -3 -266,242 -399,363 -798,726

Let's try dividing by 4:

798,726 ÷ 4 = 199,681.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 199,681.5 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 2 3 266,242 399,363 798,726
-1 -2 -3 -266,242 -399,363 798,726
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1236133,121266,242399,363798,726
-1-2-3-6-133,121-266,242-399,363-798,726

More Examples

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