Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 842,421?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8424213 x 28080723 x 3662729 x 2904969 x 1220987 x 9683421 x 2001667 x 1263
Negative: -1 x -842421-3 x -280807-23 x -36627-29 x -29049-69 x -12209-87 x -9683-421 x -2001-667 x -1263


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 842,421?

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 842,421, 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.

1 842,421
-1 -842,421

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 842,421.

Example:
1 x 842,421 = 842,421
and
-1 x -842,421 = 842,421
Notice both answers equal 842,421

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 842,421 and divide it by 2:

842,421 ÷ 2 = 421,210.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 421,210.5 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:

1 842,421
-1 -842,421

Now, we try dividing 842,421 by 3:

842,421 ÷ 3 = 280,807

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 280,807 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 3 280,807 842,421
-1 -3 -280,807 -842,421

Let's try dividing by 4:

842,421 ÷ 4 = 210,605.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 210,605.25 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 3 280,807 842,421
-1 -3 -280,807 842,421
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13232969874216671,2632,0019,68312,20929,04936,627280,807842,421
-1-3-23-29-69-87-421-667-1,263-2,001-9,683-12,209-29,049-36,627-280,807-842,421

More Examples

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