Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 485,656?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4856562 x 2428284 x 1214148 x 6070717 x 2856834 x 1428468 x 7142136 x 3571
Negative: -1 x -485656-2 x -242828-4 x -121414-8 x -60707-17 x -28568-34 x -14284-68 x -7142-136 x -3571


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 485,656?

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 485,656, 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.

1 485,656
-1 -485,656

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 485,656.

Example:
1 x 485,656 = 485,656
and
-1 x -485,656 = 485,656
Notice both answers equal 485,656

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 485,656 and divide it by 2:

485,656 ÷ 2 = 242,828

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 242,828 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 2 242,828 485,656
-1 -2 -242,828 -485,656

Now, we try dividing 485,656 by 3:

485,656 ÷ 3 = 161,885.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 161,885.3333 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 2 242,828 485,656
-1 -2 -242,828 -485,656

Let's try dividing by 4:

485,656 ÷ 4 = 121,414

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 121,414 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 4 121,414 242,828 485,656
-1 -2 -4 -121,414 -242,828 485,656
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481734681363,5717,14214,28428,56860,707121,414242,828485,656
-1-2-4-8-17-34-68-136-3,571-7,142-14,284-28,568-60,707-121,414-242,828-485,656

More Examples

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