Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 836,838?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8368382 x 4184193 x 2789466 x 1394739 x 9298218 x 4649127 x 3099454 x 15497
Negative: -1 x -836838-2 x -418419-3 x -278946-6 x -139473-9 x -92982-18 x -46491-27 x -30994-54 x -15497


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 836,838?

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 836,838, 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.

1 836,838
-1 -836,838

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 836,838.

Example:
1 x 836,838 = 836,838
and
-1 x -836,838 = 836,838
Notice both answers equal 836,838

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 836,838 and divide it by 2:

836,838 ÷ 2 = 418,419

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 418,419 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 2 418,419 836,838
-1 -2 -418,419 -836,838

Now, we try dividing 836,838 by 3:

836,838 ÷ 3 = 278,946

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 278,946 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 3 278,946 418,419 836,838
-1 -2 -3 -278,946 -418,419 -836,838

Let's try dividing by 4:

836,838 ÷ 4 = 209,209.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 209,209.5 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 3 278,946 418,419 836,838
-1 -2 -3 -278,946 -418,419 836,838
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1236918275415,49730,99446,49192,982139,473278,946418,419836,838
-1-2-3-6-9-18-27-54-15,497-30,994-46,491-92,982-139,473-278,946-418,419-836,838

More Examples

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