Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 984,664?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9846642 x 4923324 x 2461668 x 123083
Negative: -1 x -984664-2 x -492332-4 x -246166-8 x -123083


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 984,664?

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 984,664, 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.

1 984,664
-1 -984,664

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 984,664.

Example:
1 x 984,664 = 984,664
and
-1 x -984,664 = 984,664
Notice both answers equal 984,664

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 984,664 and divide it by 2:

984,664 ÷ 2 = 492,332

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 492,332 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 2 492,332 984,664
-1 -2 -492,332 -984,664

Now, we try dividing 984,664 by 3:

984,664 ÷ 3 = 328,221.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 328,221.3333 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 2 492,332 984,664
-1 -2 -492,332 -984,664

Let's try dividing by 4:

984,664 ÷ 4 = 246,166

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 246,166 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 4 246,166 492,332 984,664
-1 -2 -4 -246,166 -492,332 984,664
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248123,083246,166492,332984,664
-1-2-4-8-123,083-246,166-492,332-984,664

More Examples

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