Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 940,197?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9401973 x 313399
Negative: -1 x -940197-3 x -313399


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 940,197?

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 940,197, 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.

1 940,197
-1 -940,197

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 940,197.

Example:
1 x 940,197 = 940,197
and
-1 x -940,197 = 940,197
Notice both answers equal 940,197

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 940,197 and divide it by 2:

940,197 ÷ 2 = 470,098.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 470,098.5 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:

1 940,197
-1 -940,197

Now, we try dividing 940,197 by 3:

940,197 ÷ 3 = 313,399

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 313,399 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 3 313,399 940,197
-1 -3 -313,399 -940,197

Let's try dividing by 4:

940,197 ÷ 4 = 235,049.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 235,049.25 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 3 313,399 940,197
-1 -3 -313,399 940,197
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13313,399940,197
-1-3-313,399-940,197

More Examples

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