Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 738,605?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7386055 x 1477217 x 10551535 x 2110347 x 15715235 x 3143329 x 2245449 x 1645
Negative: -1 x -738605-5 x -147721-7 x -105515-35 x -21103-47 x -15715-235 x -3143-329 x -2245-449 x -1645


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 738,605?

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 738,605, 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.

1 738,605
-1 -738,605

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 738,605.

Example:
1 x 738,605 = 738,605
and
-1 x -738,605 = 738,605
Notice both answers equal 738,605

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 738,605 and divide it by 2:

738,605 ÷ 2 = 369,302.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 369,302.5 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:

1 738,605
-1 -738,605

Now, we try dividing 738,605 by 3:

738,605 ÷ 3 = 246,201.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 246,201.6667 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:

1 738,605
-1 -738,605

Let's try dividing by 4:

738,605 ÷ 4 = 184,651.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 184,651.25 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:

1 738,605
-1 738,605
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15735472353294491,6452,2453,14315,71521,103105,515147,721738,605
-1-5-7-35-47-235-329-449-1,645-2,245-3,143-15,715-21,103-105,515-147,721-738,605

More Examples

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