Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 108,740?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1087402 x 543704 x 271855 x 2174810 x 1087420 x 5437
Negative: -1 x -108740-2 x -54370-4 x -27185-5 x -21748-10 x -10874-20 x -5437


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 108,740?

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 108,740, 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.

1 108,740
-1 -108,740

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 108,740.

Example:
1 x 108,740 = 108,740
and
-1 x -108,740 = 108,740
Notice both answers equal 108,740

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 108,740 and divide it by 2:

108,740 ÷ 2 = 54,370

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 54,370 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 54,370 108,740
-1 -2 -54,370 -108,740

Now, we try dividing 108,740 by 3:

108,740 ÷ 3 = 36,246.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 36,246.6667 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 54,370 108,740
-1 -2 -54,370 -108,740

Let's try dividing by 4:

108,740 ÷ 4 = 27,185

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 27,185 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 27,185 54,370 108,740
-1 -2 -4 -27,185 -54,370 108,740
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124510205,43710,87421,74827,18554,370108,740
-1-2-4-5-10-20-5,437-10,874-21,748-27,185-54,370-108,740

More Examples

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