Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 851,207?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8512077 x 12160117 x 5007123 x 37009119 x 7153161 x 5287311 x 2737391 x 2177
Negative: -1 x -851207-7 x -121601-17 x -50071-23 x -37009-119 x -7153-161 x -5287-311 x -2737-391 x -2177


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 851,207?

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 851,207, 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.

1 851,207
-1 -851,207

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 851,207.

Example:
1 x 851,207 = 851,207
and
-1 x -851,207 = 851,207
Notice both answers equal 851,207

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 851,207 and divide it by 2:

851,207 ÷ 2 = 425,603.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 425,603.5 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:

1 851,207
-1 -851,207

Now, we try dividing 851,207 by 3:

851,207 ÷ 3 = 283,735.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 283,735.6667 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:

1 851,207
-1 -851,207

Let's try dividing by 4:

851,207 ÷ 4 = 212,801.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 212,801.75 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:

1 851,207
-1 851,207
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1717231191613113912,1772,7375,2877,15337,00950,071121,601851,207
-1-7-17-23-119-161-311-391-2,177-2,737-5,287-7,153-37,009-50,071-121,601-851,207

More Examples

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