Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 959,359?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 95935941 x 23399
Negative: -1 x -959359-41 x -23399


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 959,359?

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 959,359, 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.

1 959,359
-1 -959,359

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 959,359.

Example:
1 x 959,359 = 959,359
and
-1 x -959,359 = 959,359
Notice both answers equal 959,359

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 959,359 and divide it by 2:

959,359 ÷ 2 = 479,679.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 479,679.5 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:

1 959,359
-1 -959,359

Now, we try dividing 959,359 by 3:

959,359 ÷ 3 = 319,786.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 319,786.3333 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:

1 959,359
-1 -959,359

Let's try dividing by 4:

959,359 ÷ 4 = 239,839.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 239,839.75 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:

1 959,359
-1 959,359
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14123,399959,359
-1-41-23,399-959,359

More Examples

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