Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 101,240?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1012402 x 506204 x 253105 x 202488 x 1265510 x 1012420 x 506240 x 2531
Negative: -1 x -101240-2 x -50620-4 x -25310-5 x -20248-8 x -12655-10 x -10124-20 x -5062-40 x -2531


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 101,240?

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 101,240, 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.

1 101,240
-1 -101,240

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 101,240.

Example:
1 x 101,240 = 101,240
and
-1 x -101,240 = 101,240
Notice both answers equal 101,240

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 101,240 and divide it by 2:

101,240 ÷ 2 = 50,620

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 50,620 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 50,620 101,240
-1 -2 -50,620 -101,240

Now, we try dividing 101,240 by 3:

101,240 ÷ 3 = 33,746.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 33,746.6667 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 50,620 101,240
-1 -2 -50,620 -101,240

Let's try dividing by 4:

101,240 ÷ 4 = 25,310

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 25,310 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 25,310 50,620 101,240
-1 -2 -4 -25,310 -50,620 101,240
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124581020402,5315,06210,12412,65520,24825,31050,620101,240
-1-2-4-5-8-10-20-40-2,531-5,062-10,124-12,655-20,248-25,310-50,620-101,240

More Examples

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