Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 858,737?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 85873711 x 7806747 x 18271121 x 7097151 x 5687517 x 1661
Negative: -1 x -858737-11 x -78067-47 x -18271-121 x -7097-151 x -5687-517 x -1661


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 858,737?

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 858,737, 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.

1 858,737
-1 -858,737

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 858,737.

Example:
1 x 858,737 = 858,737
and
-1 x -858,737 = 858,737
Notice both answers equal 858,737

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 858,737 and divide it by 2:

858,737 ÷ 2 = 429,368.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 429,368.5 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:

1 858,737
-1 -858,737

Now, we try dividing 858,737 by 3:

858,737 ÷ 3 = 286,245.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 286,245.6667 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:

1 858,737
-1 -858,737

Let's try dividing by 4:

858,737 ÷ 4 = 214,684.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 214,684.25 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:

1 858,737
-1 858,737
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111471211515171,6615,6877,09718,27178,067858,737
-1-11-47-121-151-517-1,661-5,687-7,097-18,271-78,067-858,737

More Examples

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