Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 868,970?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8689702 x 4344855 x 17379410 x 86897113 x 7690226 x 3845565 x 1538769 x 1130
Negative: -1 x -868970-2 x -434485-5 x -173794-10 x -86897-113 x -7690-226 x -3845-565 x -1538-769 x -1130


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 868,970?

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 868,970, 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.

1 868,970
-1 -868,970

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 868,970.

Example:
1 x 868,970 = 868,970
and
-1 x -868,970 = 868,970
Notice both answers equal 868,970

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 868,970 and divide it by 2:

868,970 ÷ 2 = 434,485

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 434,485 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 2 434,485 868,970
-1 -2 -434,485 -868,970

Now, we try dividing 868,970 by 3:

868,970 ÷ 3 = 289,656.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 289,656.6667 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 2 434,485 868,970
-1 -2 -434,485 -868,970

Let's try dividing by 4:

868,970 ÷ 4 = 217,242.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 217,242.5 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 2 434,485 868,970
-1 -2 -434,485 868,970
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

125101132265657691,1301,5383,8457,69086,897173,794434,485868,970
-1-2-5-10-113-226-565-769-1,130-1,538-3,845-7,690-86,897-173,794-434,485-868,970

More Examples

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