Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 168,944?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1689442 x 844724 x 422368 x 2111816 x 10559
Negative: -1 x -168944-2 x -84472-4 x -42236-8 x -21118-16 x -10559


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 168,944?

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 168,944, 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.

1 168,944
-1 -168,944

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 168,944.

Example:
1 x 168,944 = 168,944
and
-1 x -168,944 = 168,944
Notice both answers equal 168,944

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 168,944 and divide it by 2:

168,944 ÷ 2 = 84,472

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 84,472 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 84,472 168,944
-1 -2 -84,472 -168,944

Now, we try dividing 168,944 by 3:

168,944 ÷ 3 = 56,314.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 56,314.6667 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 84,472 168,944
-1 -2 -84,472 -168,944

Let's try dividing by 4:

168,944 ÷ 4 = 42,236

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 42,236 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 42,236 84,472 168,944
-1 -2 -4 -42,236 -84,472 168,944
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481610,55921,11842,23684,472168,944
-1-2-4-8-16-10,559-21,118-42,236-84,472-168,944

More Examples

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