Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 859,060?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8590602 x 4295304 x 2147655 x 17181210 x 8590620 x 42953
Negative: -1 x -859060-2 x -429530-4 x -214765-5 x -171812-10 x -85906-20 x -42953


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 859,060?

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 859,060, 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.

1 859,060
-1 -859,060

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 859,060.

Example:
1 x 859,060 = 859,060
and
-1 x -859,060 = 859,060
Notice both answers equal 859,060

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 859,060 and divide it by 2:

859,060 ÷ 2 = 429,530

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 429,530 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 2 429,530 859,060
-1 -2 -429,530 -859,060

Now, we try dividing 859,060 by 3:

859,060 ÷ 3 = 286,353.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 286,353.3333 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 2 429,530 859,060
-1 -2 -429,530 -859,060

Let's try dividing by 4:

859,060 ÷ 4 = 214,765

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 214,765 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 4 214,765 429,530 859,060
-1 -2 -4 -214,765 -429,530 859,060
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1245102042,95385,906171,812214,765429,530859,060
-1-2-4-5-10-20-42,953-85,906-171,812-214,765-429,530-859,060

More Examples

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