Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 852,162?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8521622 x 4260813 x 2840546 x 142027109 x 7818218 x 3909327 x 2606654 x 1303
Negative: -1 x -852162-2 x -426081-3 x -284054-6 x -142027-109 x -7818-218 x -3909-327 x -2606-654 x -1303


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 852,162?

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 852,162, 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.

1 852,162
-1 -852,162

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 852,162.

Example:
1 x 852,162 = 852,162
and
-1 x -852,162 = 852,162
Notice both answers equal 852,162

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 852,162 and divide it by 2:

852,162 ÷ 2 = 426,081

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 426,081 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 2 426,081 852,162
-1 -2 -426,081 -852,162

Now, we try dividing 852,162 by 3:

852,162 ÷ 3 = 284,054

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 284,054 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 3 284,054 426,081 852,162
-1 -2 -3 -284,054 -426,081 -852,162

Let's try dividing by 4:

852,162 ÷ 4 = 213,040.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 213,040.5 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 2 3 284,054 426,081 852,162
-1 -2 -3 -284,054 -426,081 852,162
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12361092183276541,3032,6063,9097,818142,027284,054426,081852,162
-1-2-3-6-109-218-327-654-1,303-2,606-3,909-7,818-142,027-284,054-426,081-852,162

More Examples

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