Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 976,016?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9760162 x 4880084 x 2440048 x 12200216 x 61001
Negative: -1 x -976016-2 x -488008-4 x -244004-8 x -122002-16 x -61001


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 976,016?

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 976,016, 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.

1 976,016
-1 -976,016

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 976,016.

Example:
1 x 976,016 = 976,016
and
-1 x -976,016 = 976,016
Notice both answers equal 976,016

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 976,016 and divide it by 2:

976,016 ÷ 2 = 488,008

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 488,008 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 2 488,008 976,016
-1 -2 -488,008 -976,016

Now, we try dividing 976,016 by 3:

976,016 ÷ 3 = 325,338.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 325,338.6667 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 2 488,008 976,016
-1 -2 -488,008 -976,016

Let's try dividing by 4:

976,016 ÷ 4 = 244,004

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 244,004 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 4 244,004 488,008 976,016
-1 -2 -4 -244,004 -488,008 976,016
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481661,001122,002244,004488,008976,016
-1-2-4-8-16-61,001-122,002-244,004-488,008-976,016

More Examples

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