Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 542,795?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5427955 x 10855911 x 4934555 x 986971 x 7645139 x 3905355 x 1529695 x 781
Negative: -1 x -542795-5 x -108559-11 x -49345-55 x -9869-71 x -7645-139 x -3905-355 x -1529-695 x -781


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 542,795?

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 542,795, 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.

1 542,795
-1 -542,795

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 542,795.

Example:
1 x 542,795 = 542,795
and
-1 x -542,795 = 542,795
Notice both answers equal 542,795

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 542,795 and divide it by 2:

542,795 ÷ 2 = 271,397.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 271,397.5 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:

1 542,795
-1 -542,795

Now, we try dividing 542,795 by 3:

542,795 ÷ 3 = 180,931.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 180,931.6667 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:

1 542,795
-1 -542,795

Let's try dividing by 4:

542,795 ÷ 4 = 135,698.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 135,698.75 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:

1 542,795
-1 542,795
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151155711393556957811,5293,9057,6459,86949,345108,559542,795
-1-5-11-55-71-139-355-695-781-1,529-3,905-7,645-9,869-49,345-108,559-542,795

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