Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 126,037,542?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1260375422 x 630187713 x 420125146 x 21006257
Negative: -1 x -126037542-2 x -63018771-3 x -42012514-6 x -21006257


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 126,037,542?

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 126,037,542, 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.

1 126,037,542
-1 -126,037,542

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 126,037,542.

Example:
1 x 126,037,542 = 126,037,542
and
-1 x -126,037,542 = 126,037,542
Notice both answers equal 126,037,542

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 126,037,542 and divide it by 2:

126,037,542 ÷ 2 = 63,018,771

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 63,018,771 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 63,018,771 126,037,542
-1 -2 -63,018,771 -126,037,542

Now, we try dividing 126,037,542 by 3:

126,037,542 ÷ 3 = 42,012,514

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 42,012,514 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 3 42,012,514 63,018,771 126,037,542
-1 -2 -3 -42,012,514 -63,018,771 -126,037,542

Let's try dividing by 4:

126,037,542 ÷ 4 = 31,509,385.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 31,509,385.5 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 2 3 42,012,514 63,018,771 126,037,542
-1 -2 -3 -42,012,514 -63,018,771 126,037,542
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123621,006,25742,012,51463,018,771126,037,542
-1-2-3-6-21,006,257-42,012,514-63,018,771-126,037,542

More Examples

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