Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 908,905?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9089055 x 18178117 x 5346537 x 2456585 x 10693185 x 4913289 x 3145629 x 1445
Negative: -1 x -908905-5 x -181781-17 x -53465-37 x -24565-85 x -10693-185 x -4913-289 x -3145-629 x -1445


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 908,905?

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 908,905, 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.

1 908,905
-1 -908,905

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 908,905.

Example:
1 x 908,905 = 908,905
and
-1 x -908,905 = 908,905
Notice both answers equal 908,905

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 908,905 and divide it by 2:

908,905 ÷ 2 = 454,452.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 454,452.5 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:

1 908,905
-1 -908,905

Now, we try dividing 908,905 by 3:

908,905 ÷ 3 = 302,968.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 302,968.3333 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:

1 908,905
-1 -908,905

Let's try dividing by 4:

908,905 ÷ 4 = 227,226.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 227,226.25 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:

1 908,905
-1 908,905
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151737851852896291,4453,1454,91310,69324,56553,465181,781908,905
-1-5-17-37-85-185-289-629-1,445-3,145-4,913-10,693-24,565-53,465-181,781-908,905

More Examples

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