Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 838,788?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8387882 x 4193943 x 2795964 x 2096976 x 13979812 x 69899
Negative: -1 x -838788-2 x -419394-3 x -279596-4 x -209697-6 x -139798-12 x -69899


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 838,788?

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 838,788, 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.

1 838,788
-1 -838,788

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 838,788.

Example:
1 x 838,788 = 838,788
and
-1 x -838,788 = 838,788
Notice both answers equal 838,788

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 838,788 and divide it by 2:

838,788 ÷ 2 = 419,394

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 419,394 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 2 419,394 838,788
-1 -2 -419,394 -838,788

Now, we try dividing 838,788 by 3:

838,788 ÷ 3 = 279,596

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 279,596 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 3 279,596 419,394 838,788
-1 -2 -3 -279,596 -419,394 -838,788

Let's try dividing by 4:

838,788 ÷ 4 = 209,697

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 209,697 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 4 209,697 279,596 419,394 838,788
-1 -2 -3 -4 -209,697 -279,596 -419,394 838,788
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461269,899139,798209,697279,596419,394838,788
-1-2-3-4-6-12-69,899-139,798-209,697-279,596-419,394-838,788

More Examples

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