Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 138,467?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1384677 x 19781131 x 1057151 x 917
Negative: -1 x -138467-7 x -19781-131 x -1057-151 x -917


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 138,467?

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 138,467, 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.

1 138,467
-1 -138,467

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 138,467.

Example:
1 x 138,467 = 138,467
and
-1 x -138,467 = 138,467
Notice both answers equal 138,467

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 138,467 and divide it by 2:

138,467 ÷ 2 = 69,233.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 69,233.5 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:

1 138,467
-1 -138,467

Now, we try dividing 138,467 by 3:

138,467 ÷ 3 = 46,155.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 46,155.6667 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:

1 138,467
-1 -138,467

Let's try dividing by 4:

138,467 ÷ 4 = 34,616.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 34,616.75 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:

1 138,467
-1 138,467
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171311519171,05719,781138,467
-1-7-131-151-917-1,057-19,781-138,467

More Examples

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