Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 122,873?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 12287319 x 646729 x 4237223 x 551
Negative: -1 x -122873-19 x -6467-29 x -4237-223 x -551


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 122,873?

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 122,873, 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.

1 122,873
-1 -122,873

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 122,873.

Example:
1 x 122,873 = 122,873
and
-1 x -122,873 = 122,873
Notice both answers equal 122,873

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 122,873 and divide it by 2:

122,873 ÷ 2 = 61,436.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 61,436.5 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:

1 122,873
-1 -122,873

Now, we try dividing 122,873 by 3:

122,873 ÷ 3 = 40,957.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 40,957.6667 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:

1 122,873
-1 -122,873

Let's try dividing by 4:

122,873 ÷ 4 = 30,718.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,718.25 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:

1 122,873
-1 122,873
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

119292235514,2376,467122,873
-1-19-29-223-551-4,237-6,467-122,873

More Examples

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