Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 151,196?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1511962 x 755984 x 37799
Negative: -1 x -151196-2 x -75598-4 x -37799


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 151,196?

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 151,196, 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.

1 151,196
-1 -151,196

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 151,196.

Example:
1 x 151,196 = 151,196
and
-1 x -151,196 = 151,196
Notice both answers equal 151,196

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 151,196 and divide it by 2:

151,196 ÷ 2 = 75,598

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 75,598 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 75,598 151,196
-1 -2 -75,598 -151,196

Now, we try dividing 151,196 by 3:

151,196 ÷ 3 = 50,398.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 50,398.6667 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 2 75,598 151,196
-1 -2 -75,598 -151,196

Let's try dividing by 4:

151,196 ÷ 4 = 37,799

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 37,799 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 37,799 75,598 151,196
-1 -2 -4 -37,799 -75,598 151,196
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12437,79975,598151,196
-1-2-4-37,799-75,598-151,196

More Examples

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