Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 121,705?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1217055 x 24341101 x 1205241 x 505
Negative: -1 x -121705-5 x -24341-101 x -1205-241 x -505


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 121,705?

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 121,705, 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.

1 121,705
-1 -121,705

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 121,705.

Example:
1 x 121,705 = 121,705
and
-1 x -121,705 = 121,705
Notice both answers equal 121,705

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 121,705 and divide it by 2:

121,705 ÷ 2 = 60,852.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 60,852.5 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:

1 121,705
-1 -121,705

Now, we try dividing 121,705 by 3:

121,705 ÷ 3 = 40,568.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 40,568.3333 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:

1 121,705
-1 -121,705

Let's try dividing by 4:

121,705 ÷ 4 = 30,426.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,426.25 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:

1 121,705
-1 121,705
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151012415051,20524,341121,705
-1-5-101-241-505-1,205-24,341-121,705

More Examples

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