Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 852,145?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8521455 x 1704297 x 12173535 x 2434797 x 8785251 x 3395485 x 1757679 x 1255
Negative: -1 x -852145-5 x -170429-7 x -121735-35 x -24347-97 x -8785-251 x -3395-485 x -1757-679 x -1255


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 852,145?

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 852,145, 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.

1 852,145
-1 -852,145

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 852,145.

Example:
1 x 852,145 = 852,145
and
-1 x -852,145 = 852,145
Notice both answers equal 852,145

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 852,145 and divide it by 2:

852,145 ÷ 2 = 426,072.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 426,072.5 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:

1 852,145
-1 -852,145

Now, we try dividing 852,145 by 3:

852,145 ÷ 3 = 284,048.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 284,048.3333 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:

1 852,145
-1 -852,145

Let's try dividing by 4:

852,145 ÷ 4 = 213,036.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 213,036.25 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:

1 852,145
-1 852,145
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15735972514856791,2551,7573,3958,78524,347121,735170,429852,145
-1-5-7-35-97-251-485-679-1,255-1,757-3,395-8,785-24,347-121,735-170,429-852,145

More Examples

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