Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 156,289?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1562897 x 2232783 x 1883269 x 581
Negative: -1 x -156289-7 x -22327-83 x -1883-269 x -581


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 156,289?

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 156,289, 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.

1 156,289
-1 -156,289

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 156,289.

Example:
1 x 156,289 = 156,289
and
-1 x -156,289 = 156,289
Notice both answers equal 156,289

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 156,289 and divide it by 2:

156,289 ÷ 2 = 78,144.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 78,144.5 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:

1 156,289
-1 -156,289

Now, we try dividing 156,289 by 3:

156,289 ÷ 3 = 52,096.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 52,096.3333 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:

1 156,289
-1 -156,289

Let's try dividing by 4:

156,289 ÷ 4 = 39,072.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 39,072.25 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:

1 156,289
-1 156,289
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17832695811,88322,327156,289
-1-7-83-269-581-1,883-22,327-156,289

More Examples

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