Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 878,425?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8784255 x 17568525 x 3513741 x 21425205 x 4285857 x 1025
Negative: -1 x -878425-5 x -175685-25 x -35137-41 x -21425-205 x -4285-857 x -1025


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 878,425?

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 878,425, 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.

1 878,425
-1 -878,425

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 878,425.

Example:
1 x 878,425 = 878,425
and
-1 x -878,425 = 878,425
Notice both answers equal 878,425

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 878,425 and divide it by 2:

878,425 ÷ 2 = 439,212.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 439,212.5 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:

1 878,425
-1 -878,425

Now, we try dividing 878,425 by 3:

878,425 ÷ 3 = 292,808.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 292,808.3333 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:

1 878,425
-1 -878,425

Let's try dividing by 4:

878,425 ÷ 4 = 219,606.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 219,606.25 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:

1 878,425
-1 878,425
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1525412058571,0254,28521,42535,137175,685878,425
-1-5-25-41-205-857-1,025-4,285-21,425-35,137-175,685-878,425

More Examples

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