Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 103,528?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1035282 x 517644 x 258828 x 12941
Negative: -1 x -103528-2 x -51764-4 x -25882-8 x -12941


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 103,528?

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 103,528, 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.

1 103,528
-1 -103,528

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 103,528.

Example:
1 x 103,528 = 103,528
and
-1 x -103,528 = 103,528
Notice both answers equal 103,528

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 103,528 and divide it by 2:

103,528 ÷ 2 = 51,764

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 51,764 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 51,764 103,528
-1 -2 -51,764 -103,528

Now, we try dividing 103,528 by 3:

103,528 ÷ 3 = 34,509.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 34,509.3333 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 51,764 103,528
-1 -2 -51,764 -103,528

Let's try dividing by 4:

103,528 ÷ 4 = 25,882

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 25,882 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 25,882 51,764 103,528
-1 -2 -4 -25,882 -51,764 103,528
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124812,94125,88251,764103,528
-1-2-4-8-12,941-25,882-51,764-103,528

More Examples

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