Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 878,899?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8788997 x 12555723 x 3821353 x 16583103 x 8533161 x 5459371 x 2369721 x 1219
Negative: -1 x -878899-7 x -125557-23 x -38213-53 x -16583-103 x -8533-161 x -5459-371 x -2369-721 x -1219


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 878,899?

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 878,899, 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.

1 878,899
-1 -878,899

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 878,899.

Example:
1 x 878,899 = 878,899
and
-1 x -878,899 = 878,899
Notice both answers equal 878,899

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 878,899 and divide it by 2:

878,899 ÷ 2 = 439,449.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 439,449.5 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:

1 878,899
-1 -878,899

Now, we try dividing 878,899 by 3:

878,899 ÷ 3 = 292,966.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 292,966.3333 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:

1 878,899
-1 -878,899

Let's try dividing by 4:

878,899 ÷ 4 = 219,724.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 219,724.75 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:

1 878,899
-1 878,899
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1723531031613717211,2192,3695,4598,53316,58338,213125,557878,899
-1-7-23-53-103-161-371-721-1,219-2,369-5,459-8,533-16,583-38,213-125,557-878,899

More Examples

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