Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 139,276?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1392762 x 696384 x 34819
Negative: -1 x -139276-2 x -69638-4 x -34819


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 139,276?

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 139,276, 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.

1 139,276
-1 -139,276

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 139,276.

Example:
1 x 139,276 = 139,276
and
-1 x -139,276 = 139,276
Notice both answers equal 139,276

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 139,276 and divide it by 2:

139,276 ÷ 2 = 69,638

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 69,638 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 69,638 139,276
-1 -2 -69,638 -139,276

Now, we try dividing 139,276 by 3:

139,276 ÷ 3 = 46,425.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 46,425.3333 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 2 69,638 139,276
-1 -2 -69,638 -139,276

Let's try dividing by 4:

139,276 ÷ 4 = 34,819

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 34,819 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 4 34,819 69,638 139,276
-1 -2 -4 -34,819 -69,638 139,276
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12434,81969,638139,276
-1-2-4-34,819-69,638-139,276

More Examples

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