Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 125,741?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1257417 x 1796311 x 1143123 x 546771 x 177177 x 1633161 x 781253 x 497
Negative: -1 x -125741-7 x -17963-11 x -11431-23 x -5467-71 x -1771-77 x -1633-161 x -781-253 x -497


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 125,741?

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 125,741, 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.

1 125,741
-1 -125,741

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 125,741.

Example:
1 x 125,741 = 125,741
and
-1 x -125,741 = 125,741
Notice both answers equal 125,741

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 125,741 and divide it by 2:

125,741 ÷ 2 = 62,870.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 62,870.5 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:

1 125,741
-1 -125,741

Now, we try dividing 125,741 by 3:

125,741 ÷ 3 = 41,913.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 41,913.6667 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:

1 125,741
-1 -125,741

Let's try dividing by 4:

125,741 ÷ 4 = 31,435.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 31,435.25 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:

1 125,741
-1 125,741
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17112371771612534977811,6331,7715,46711,43117,963125,741
-1-7-11-23-71-77-161-253-497-781-1,633-1,771-5,467-11,431-17,963-125,741

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