Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 852,071?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 85207111 x 7746171 x 12001781 x 1091
Negative: -1 x -852071-11 x -77461-71 x -12001-781 x -1091


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 852,071?

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 852,071, 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.

1 852,071
-1 -852,071

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 852,071.

Example:
1 x 852,071 = 852,071
and
-1 x -852,071 = 852,071
Notice both answers equal 852,071

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 852,071 and divide it by 2:

852,071 ÷ 2 = 426,035.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 426,035.5 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:

1 852,071
-1 -852,071

Now, we try dividing 852,071 by 3:

852,071 ÷ 3 = 284,023.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 284,023.6667 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:

1 852,071
-1 -852,071

Let's try dividing by 4:

852,071 ÷ 4 = 213,017.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 213,017.75 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:

1 852,071
-1 852,071
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111717811,09112,00177,461852,071
-1-11-71-781-1,091-12,001-77,461-852,071

More Examples

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