Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 984,527?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 984527499 x 1973
Negative: -1 x -984527-499 x -1973


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 984,527?

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 984,527, 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.

1 984,527
-1 -984,527

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 984,527.

Example:
1 x 984,527 = 984,527
and
-1 x -984,527 = 984,527
Notice both answers equal 984,527

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 984,527 and divide it by 2:

984,527 ÷ 2 = 492,263.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 492,263.5 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:

1 984,527
-1 -984,527

Now, we try dividing 984,527 by 3:

984,527 ÷ 3 = 328,175.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 328,175.6667 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:

1 984,527
-1 -984,527

Let's try dividing by 4:

984,527 ÷ 4 = 246,131.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 246,131.75 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:

1 984,527
-1 984,527
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14991,973984,527
-1-499-1,973-984,527

More Examples

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