Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 120,911?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1209117 x 1727323 x 5257161 x 751
Negative: -1 x -120911-7 x -17273-23 x -5257-161 x -751


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 120,911?

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 120,911, 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.

1 120,911
-1 -120,911

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 120,911.

Example:
1 x 120,911 = 120,911
and
-1 x -120,911 = 120,911
Notice both answers equal 120,911

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 120,911 and divide it by 2:

120,911 ÷ 2 = 60,455.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 60,455.5 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:

1 120,911
-1 -120,911

Now, we try dividing 120,911 by 3:

120,911 ÷ 3 = 40,303.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 40,303.6667 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:

1 120,911
-1 -120,911

Let's try dividing by 4:

120,911 ÷ 4 = 30,227.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,227.75 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:

1 120,911
-1 120,911
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17231617515,25717,273120,911
-1-7-23-161-751-5,257-17,273-120,911

More Examples

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