Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 866,724?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8667242 x 4333623 x 2889084 x 2166816 x 14445412 x 72227
Negative: -1 x -866724-2 x -433362-3 x -288908-4 x -216681-6 x -144454-12 x -72227


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 866,724?

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 866,724, 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.

1 866,724
-1 -866,724

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 866,724.

Example:
1 x 866,724 = 866,724
and
-1 x -866,724 = 866,724
Notice both answers equal 866,724

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 866,724 and divide it by 2:

866,724 ÷ 2 = 433,362

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 433,362 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 2 433,362 866,724
-1 -2 -433,362 -866,724

Now, we try dividing 866,724 by 3:

866,724 ÷ 3 = 288,908

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 288,908 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 3 288,908 433,362 866,724
-1 -2 -3 -288,908 -433,362 -866,724

Let's try dividing by 4:

866,724 ÷ 4 = 216,681

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 216,681 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 4 216,681 288,908 433,362 866,724
-1 -2 -3 -4 -216,681 -288,908 -433,362 866,724
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461272,227144,454216,681288,908433,362866,724
-1-2-3-4-6-12-72,227-144,454-216,681-288,908-433,362-866,724

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 866,724:


Ask a Question