Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 884?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8842 x 4424 x 22113 x 6817 x 5226 x 34
Negative: -1 x -884-2 x -442-4 x -221-13 x -68-17 x -52-26 x -34


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 884?

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 884, 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.

1 884
-1 -884

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 884.

Example:
1 x 884 = 884
and
-1 x -884 = 884
Notice both answers equal 884

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 884 and divide it by 2:

884 ÷ 2 = 442

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 442 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 2 442 884
-1 -2 -442 -884

Now, we try dividing 884 by 3:

884 ÷ 3 = 294.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 294.6667 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 2 442 884
-1 -2 -442 -884

Let's try dividing by 4:

884 ÷ 4 = 221

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 221 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 4 221 442 884
-1 -2 -4 -221 -442 884
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124131726345268221442884
-1-2-4-13-17-26-34-52-68-221-442-884

More Examples

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