Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 158,781?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1587813 x 529277 x 2268321 x 7561
Negative: -1 x -158781-3 x -52927-7 x -22683-21 x -7561


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 158,781?

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 158,781, 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.

1 158,781
-1 -158,781

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 158,781.

Example:
1 x 158,781 = 158,781
and
-1 x -158,781 = 158,781
Notice both answers equal 158,781

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 158,781 and divide it by 2:

158,781 ÷ 2 = 79,390.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 79,390.5 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:

1 158,781
-1 -158,781

Now, we try dividing 158,781 by 3:

158,781 ÷ 3 = 52,927

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 52,927 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 3 52,927 158,781
-1 -3 -52,927 -158,781

Let's try dividing by 4:

158,781 ÷ 4 = 39,695.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 39,695.25 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 3 52,927 158,781
-1 -3 -52,927 158,781
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

137217,56122,68352,927158,781
-1-3-7-21-7,561-22,683-52,927-158,781

More Examples

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