Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 392,903?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3929037 x 5612937 x 1061941 x 9583259 x 1517287 x 1369
Negative: -1 x -392903-7 x -56129-37 x -10619-41 x -9583-259 x -1517-287 x -1369


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 392,903?

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 392,903, 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.

1 392,903
-1 -392,903

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 392,903.

Example:
1 x 392,903 = 392,903
and
-1 x -392,903 = 392,903
Notice both answers equal 392,903

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 392,903 and divide it by 2:

392,903 ÷ 2 = 196,451.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 196,451.5 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:

1 392,903
-1 -392,903

Now, we try dividing 392,903 by 3:

392,903 ÷ 3 = 130,967.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 130,967.6667 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:

1 392,903
-1 -392,903

Let's try dividing by 4:

392,903 ÷ 4 = 98,225.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 98,225.75 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:

1 392,903
-1 392,903
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1737412592871,3691,5179,58310,61956,129392,903
-1-7-37-41-259-287-1,369-1,517-9,583-10,619-56,129-392,903

More Examples

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