Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 986,964?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9869642 x 4934823 x 3289884 x 2467416 x 16449411 x 8972412 x 8224722 x 4486233 x 2990844 x 2243166 x 14954132 x 7477
Negative: -1 x -986964-2 x -493482-3 x -328988-4 x -246741-6 x -164494-11 x -89724-12 x -82247-22 x -44862-33 x -29908-44 x -22431-66 x -14954-132 x -7477


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 986,964?

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 986,964, 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.

1 986,964
-1 -986,964

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 986,964.

Example:
1 x 986,964 = 986,964
and
-1 x -986,964 = 986,964
Notice both answers equal 986,964

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 986,964 and divide it by 2:

986,964 ÷ 2 = 493,482

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 493,482 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 2 493,482 986,964
-1 -2 -493,482 -986,964

Now, we try dividing 986,964 by 3:

986,964 ÷ 3 = 328,988

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 328,988 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 3 328,988 493,482 986,964
-1 -2 -3 -328,988 -493,482 -986,964

Let's try dividing by 4:

986,964 ÷ 4 = 246,741

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 246,741 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 4 246,741 328,988 493,482 986,964
-1 -2 -3 -4 -246,741 -328,988 -493,482 986,964
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461112223344661327,47714,95422,43129,90844,86282,24789,724164,494246,741328,988493,482986,964
-1-2-3-4-6-11-12-22-33-44-66-132-7,477-14,954-22,431-29,908-44,862-82,247-89,724-164,494-246,741-328,988-493,482-986,964

More Examples

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