Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 875,848?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8758482 x 4379244 x 2189628 x 109481
Negative: -1 x -875848-2 x -437924-4 x -218962-8 x -109481


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 875,848?

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 875,848, 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.

1 875,848
-1 -875,848

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 875,848.

Example:
1 x 875,848 = 875,848
and
-1 x -875,848 = 875,848
Notice both answers equal 875,848

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 875,848 and divide it by 2:

875,848 ÷ 2 = 437,924

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 437,924 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 2 437,924 875,848
-1 -2 -437,924 -875,848

Now, we try dividing 875,848 by 3:

875,848 ÷ 3 = 291,949.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 291,949.3333 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 2 437,924 875,848
-1 -2 -437,924 -875,848

Let's try dividing by 4:

875,848 ÷ 4 = 218,962

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 218,962 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 4 218,962 437,924 875,848
-1 -2 -4 -218,962 -437,924 875,848
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248109,481218,962437,924875,848
-1-2-4-8-109,481-218,962-437,924-875,848

More Examples

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