Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 891,812?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8918122 x 4459064 x 222953
Negative: -1 x -891812-2 x -445906-4 x -222953


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 891,812?

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 891,812, 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.

1 891,812
-1 -891,812

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 891,812.

Example:
1 x 891,812 = 891,812
and
-1 x -891,812 = 891,812
Notice both answers equal 891,812

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 891,812 and divide it by 2:

891,812 ÷ 2 = 445,906

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 445,906 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 2 445,906 891,812
-1 -2 -445,906 -891,812

Now, we try dividing 891,812 by 3:

891,812 ÷ 3 = 297,270.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 297,270.6667 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 2 445,906 891,812
-1 -2 -445,906 -891,812

Let's try dividing by 4:

891,812 ÷ 4 = 222,953

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 222,953 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 4 222,953 445,906 891,812
-1 -2 -4 -222,953 -445,906 891,812
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124222,953445,906891,812
-1-2-4-222,953-445,906-891,812

More Examples

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