Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 161,755?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1617555 x 3235111 x 1470517 x 951555 x 294185 x 1903173 x 935187 x 865
Negative: -1 x -161755-5 x -32351-11 x -14705-17 x -9515-55 x -2941-85 x -1903-173 x -935-187 x -865


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 161,755?

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 161,755, 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.

1 161,755
-1 -161,755

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 161,755.

Example:
1 x 161,755 = 161,755
and
-1 x -161,755 = 161,755
Notice both answers equal 161,755

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 161,755 and divide it by 2:

161,755 ÷ 2 = 80,877.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 80,877.5 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:

1 161,755
-1 -161,755

Now, we try dividing 161,755 by 3:

161,755 ÷ 3 = 53,918.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 53,918.3333 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:

1 161,755
-1 -161,755

Let's try dividing by 4:

161,755 ÷ 4 = 40,438.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 40,438.75 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:

1 161,755
-1 161,755
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15111755851731878659351,9032,9419,51514,70532,351161,755
-1-5-11-17-55-85-173-187-865-935-1,903-2,941-9,515-14,705-32,351-161,755

More Examples

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