Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 840,581?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8405817 x 12008323 x 36547161 x 5221227 x 3703529 x 1589
Negative: -1 x -840581-7 x -120083-23 x -36547-161 x -5221-227 x -3703-529 x -1589


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 840,581?

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 840,581, 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.

1 840,581
-1 -840,581

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 840,581.

Example:
1 x 840,581 = 840,581
and
-1 x -840,581 = 840,581
Notice both answers equal 840,581

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 840,581 and divide it by 2:

840,581 ÷ 2 = 420,290.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 420,290.5 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:

1 840,581
-1 -840,581

Now, we try dividing 840,581 by 3:

840,581 ÷ 3 = 280,193.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 280,193.6667 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:

1 840,581
-1 -840,581

Let's try dividing by 4:

840,581 ÷ 4 = 210,145.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 210,145.25 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:

1 840,581
-1 840,581
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17231612275291,5893,7035,22136,547120,083840,581
-1-7-23-161-227-529-1,589-3,703-5,221-36,547-120,083-840,581

More Examples

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