Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 44,588?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 445882 x 222944 x 1114771 x 628142 x 314157 x 284
Negative: -1 x -44588-2 x -22294-4 x -11147-71 x -628-142 x -314-157 x -284


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 44,588?

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 44,588, 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 44,588
-1 -44,588

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 44,588.

Example:
1 x 44,588 = 44,588
and
-1 x -44,588 = 44,588
Notice both answers equal 44,588

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 44,588 and divide it by 2:

44,588 ÷ 2 = 22,294

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 22,294 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 22,294 44,588
-1 -2 -22,294 -44,588

Now, we try dividing 44,588 by 3:

44,588 ÷ 3 = 14,862.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,862.6667 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 22,294 44,588
-1 -2 -22,294 -44,588

Let's try dividing by 4:

44,588 ÷ 4 = 11,147

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,147 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 11,147 22,294 44,588
-1 -2 -4 -11,147 -22,294 44,588
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1247114215728431462811,14722,29444,588
-1-2-4-71-142-157-284-314-628-11,147-22,294-44,588

More Examples

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