Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 971,912?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9719122 x 4859564 x 2429788 x 12148931 x 3135262 x 15676124 x 7838248 x 3919
Negative: -1 x -971912-2 x -485956-4 x -242978-8 x -121489-31 x -31352-62 x -15676-124 x -7838-248 x -3919


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 971,912?

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 971,912, 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.

1 971,912
-1 -971,912

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 971,912.

Example:
1 x 971,912 = 971,912
and
-1 x -971,912 = 971,912
Notice both answers equal 971,912

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 971,912 and divide it by 2:

971,912 ÷ 2 = 485,956

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 485,956 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 2 485,956 971,912
-1 -2 -485,956 -971,912

Now, we try dividing 971,912 by 3:

971,912 ÷ 3 = 323,970.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 323,970.6667 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 2 485,956 971,912
-1 -2 -485,956 -971,912

Let's try dividing by 4:

971,912 ÷ 4 = 242,978

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 242,978 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 2 4 242,978 485,956 971,912
-1 -2 -4 -242,978 -485,956 971,912
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124831621242483,9197,83815,67631,352121,489242,978485,956971,912
-1-2-4-8-31-62-124-248-3,919-7,838-15,676-31,352-121,489-242,978-485,956-971,912

More Examples

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