Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 170,975?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1709755 x 341957 x 2442525 x 683935 x 4885175 x 977
Negative: -1 x -170975-5 x -34195-7 x -24425-25 x -6839-35 x -4885-175 x -977


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 170,975?

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 170,975, 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.

1 170,975
-1 -170,975

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 170,975.

Example:
1 x 170,975 = 170,975
and
-1 x -170,975 = 170,975
Notice both answers equal 170,975

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 170,975 and divide it by 2:

170,975 ÷ 2 = 85,487.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 85,487.5 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:

1 170,975
-1 -170,975

Now, we try dividing 170,975 by 3:

170,975 ÷ 3 = 56,991.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 56,991.6667 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:

1 170,975
-1 -170,975

Let's try dividing by 4:

170,975 ÷ 4 = 42,743.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 42,743.75 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:

1 170,975
-1 170,975
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15725351759774,8856,83924,42534,195170,975
-1-5-7-25-35-175-977-4,885-6,839-24,425-34,195-170,975

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