Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 157,925?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1579255 x 3158525 x 6317
Negative: -1 x -157925-5 x -31585-25 x -6317


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 157,925?

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 157,925, 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.

1 157,925
-1 -157,925

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 157,925.

Example:
1 x 157,925 = 157,925
and
-1 x -157,925 = 157,925
Notice both answers equal 157,925

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 157,925 and divide it by 2:

157,925 ÷ 2 = 78,962.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 78,962.5 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:

1 157,925
-1 -157,925

Now, we try dividing 157,925 by 3:

157,925 ÷ 3 = 52,641.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 52,641.6667 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:

1 157,925
-1 -157,925

Let's try dividing by 4:

157,925 ÷ 4 = 39,481.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 39,481.25 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:

1 157,925
-1 157,925
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15256,31731,585157,925
-1-5-25-6,317-31,585-157,925

More Examples

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