Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 846,056?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8460562 x 4230284 x 2115148 x 10575717 x 4976834 x 2488468 x 12442136 x 6221
Negative: -1 x -846056-2 x -423028-4 x -211514-8 x -105757-17 x -49768-34 x -24884-68 x -12442-136 x -6221


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 846,056?

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 846,056, 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.

1 846,056
-1 -846,056

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 846,056.

Example:
1 x 846,056 = 846,056
and
-1 x -846,056 = 846,056
Notice both answers equal 846,056

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 846,056 and divide it by 2:

846,056 ÷ 2 = 423,028

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 423,028 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 2 423,028 846,056
-1 -2 -423,028 -846,056

Now, we try dividing 846,056 by 3:

846,056 ÷ 3 = 282,018.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 282,018.6667 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 2 423,028 846,056
-1 -2 -423,028 -846,056

Let's try dividing by 4:

846,056 ÷ 4 = 211,514

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 211,514 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 4 211,514 423,028 846,056
-1 -2 -4 -211,514 -423,028 846,056
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481734681366,22112,44224,88449,768105,757211,514423,028846,056
-1-2-4-8-17-34-68-136-6,221-12,442-24,884-49,768-105,757-211,514-423,028-846,056

More Examples

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