Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 947,309?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 94730911 x 86119121 x 7829
Negative: -1 x -947309-11 x -86119-121 x -7829


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 947,309?

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 947,309, 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.

1 947,309
-1 -947,309

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 947,309.

Example:
1 x 947,309 = 947,309
and
-1 x -947,309 = 947,309
Notice both answers equal 947,309

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 947,309 and divide it by 2:

947,309 ÷ 2 = 473,654.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 473,654.5 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:

1 947,309
-1 -947,309

Now, we try dividing 947,309 by 3:

947,309 ÷ 3 = 315,769.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 315,769.6667 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:

1 947,309
-1 -947,309

Let's try dividing by 4:

947,309 ÷ 4 = 236,827.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 236,827.25 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:

1 947,309
-1 947,309
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111217,82986,119947,309
-1-11-121-7,829-86,119-947,309

More Examples

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