Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 974,388?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9743882 x 4871943 x 3247964 x 2435976 x 16239812 x 81199
Negative: -1 x -974388-2 x -487194-3 x -324796-4 x -243597-6 x -162398-12 x -81199


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 974,388?

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 974,388, 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.

1 974,388
-1 -974,388

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 974,388.

Example:
1 x 974,388 = 974,388
and
-1 x -974,388 = 974,388
Notice both answers equal 974,388

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 974,388 and divide it by 2:

974,388 ÷ 2 = 487,194

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 487,194 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 2 487,194 974,388
-1 -2 -487,194 -974,388

Now, we try dividing 974,388 by 3:

974,388 ÷ 3 = 324,796

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 324,796 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 3 324,796 487,194 974,388
-1 -2 -3 -324,796 -487,194 -974,388

Let's try dividing by 4:

974,388 ÷ 4 = 243,597

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 243,597 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 3 4 243,597 324,796 487,194 974,388
-1 -2 -3 -4 -243,597 -324,796 -487,194 974,388
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461281,199162,398243,597324,796487,194974,388
-1-2-3-4-6-12-81,199-162,398-243,597-324,796-487,194-974,388

More Examples

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