Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 129,503?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 12950311 x 1177361 x 2123193 x 671
Negative: -1 x -129503-11 x -11773-61 x -2123-193 x -671


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 129,503?

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 129,503, 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.

1 129,503
-1 -129,503

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 129,503.

Example:
1 x 129,503 = 129,503
and
-1 x -129,503 = 129,503
Notice both answers equal 129,503

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 129,503 and divide it by 2:

129,503 ÷ 2 = 64,751.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 64,751.5 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:

1 129,503
-1 -129,503

Now, we try dividing 129,503 by 3:

129,503 ÷ 3 = 43,167.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 43,167.6667 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:

1 129,503
-1 -129,503

Let's try dividing by 4:

129,503 ÷ 4 = 32,375.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,375.75 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:

1 129,503
-1 129,503
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111611936712,12311,773129,503
-1-11-61-193-671-2,123-11,773-129,503

More Examples

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