Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 139,655?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1396555 x 2793117 x 821531 x 450553 x 263585 x 1643155 x 901265 x 527
Negative: -1 x -139655-5 x -27931-17 x -8215-31 x -4505-53 x -2635-85 x -1643-155 x -901-265 x -527


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 139,655?

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 139,655, 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.

1 139,655
-1 -139,655

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 139,655.

Example:
1 x 139,655 = 139,655
and
-1 x -139,655 = 139,655
Notice both answers equal 139,655

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 139,655 and divide it by 2:

139,655 ÷ 2 = 69,827.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 69,827.5 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:

1 139,655
-1 -139,655

Now, we try dividing 139,655 by 3:

139,655 ÷ 3 = 46,551.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 46,551.6667 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:

1 139,655
-1 -139,655

Let's try dividing by 4:

139,655 ÷ 4 = 34,913.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 34,913.75 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:

1 139,655
-1 139,655
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15173153851552655279011,6432,6354,5058,21527,931139,655
-1-5-17-31-53-85-155-265-527-901-1,643-2,635-4,505-8,215-27,931-139,655

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 139,655:


Ask a Question