Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 124,729?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 12472911 x 1133917 x 733723 x 542329 x 4301187 x 667253 x 493319 x 391
Negative: -1 x -124729-11 x -11339-17 x -7337-23 x -5423-29 x -4301-187 x -667-253 x -493-319 x -391


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 124,729?

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 124,729, 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.

1 124,729
-1 -124,729

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 124,729.

Example:
1 x 124,729 = 124,729
and
-1 x -124,729 = 124,729
Notice both answers equal 124,729

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 124,729 and divide it by 2:

124,729 ÷ 2 = 62,364.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 62,364.5 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:

1 124,729
-1 -124,729

Now, we try dividing 124,729 by 3:

124,729 ÷ 3 = 41,576.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 41,576.3333 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:

1 124,729
-1 -124,729

Let's try dividing by 4:

124,729 ÷ 4 = 31,182.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 31,182.25 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:

1 124,729
-1 124,729
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111723291872533193914936674,3015,4237,33711,339124,729
-1-11-17-23-29-187-253-319-391-493-667-4,301-5,423-7,337-11,339-124,729

More Examples

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