Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 938,021?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9380217 x 134003103 x 9107721 x 1301
Negative: -1 x -938021-7 x -134003-103 x -9107-721 x -1301


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 938,021?

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 938,021, 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.

1 938,021
-1 -938,021

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 938,021.

Example:
1 x 938,021 = 938,021
and
-1 x -938,021 = 938,021
Notice both answers equal 938,021

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 938,021 and divide it by 2:

938,021 ÷ 2 = 469,010.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 469,010.5 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:

1 938,021
-1 -938,021

Now, we try dividing 938,021 by 3:

938,021 ÷ 3 = 312,673.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 312,673.6667 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:

1 938,021
-1 -938,021

Let's try dividing by 4:

938,021 ÷ 4 = 234,505.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 234,505.25 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:

1 938,021
-1 938,021
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171037211,3019,107134,003938,021
-1-7-103-721-1,301-9,107-134,003-938,021

More Examples

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