Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 946,483?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 946483173 x 5471
Negative: -1 x -946483-173 x -5471


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 946,483?

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 946,483, 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.

1 946,483
-1 -946,483

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 946,483.

Example:
1 x 946,483 = 946,483
and
-1 x -946,483 = 946,483
Notice both answers equal 946,483

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 946,483 and divide it by 2:

946,483 ÷ 2 = 473,241.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 473,241.5 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:

1 946,483
-1 -946,483

Now, we try dividing 946,483 by 3:

946,483 ÷ 3 = 315,494.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 315,494.3333 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:

1 946,483
-1 -946,483

Let's try dividing by 4:

946,483 ÷ 4 = 236,620.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 236,620.75 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:

1 946,483
-1 946,483
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11735,471946,483
-1-173-5,471-946,483

More Examples

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