Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 171,472?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1714722 x 857364 x 428687 x 244968 x 2143414 x 1224816 x 1071728 x 612456 x 3062112 x 1531
Negative: -1 x -171472-2 x -85736-4 x -42868-7 x -24496-8 x -21434-14 x -12248-16 x -10717-28 x -6124-56 x -3062-112 x -1531


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 171,472?

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 171,472, 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.

1 171,472
-1 -171,472

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 171,472.

Example:
1 x 171,472 = 171,472
and
-1 x -171,472 = 171,472
Notice both answers equal 171,472

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 171,472 and divide it by 2:

171,472 ÷ 2 = 85,736

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 85,736 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 85,736 171,472
-1 -2 -85,736 -171,472

Now, we try dividing 171,472 by 3:

171,472 ÷ 3 = 57,157.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 57,157.3333 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 2 85,736 171,472
-1 -2 -85,736 -171,472

Let's try dividing by 4:

171,472 ÷ 4 = 42,868

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 42,868 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 42,868 85,736 171,472
-1 -2 -4 -42,868 -85,736 171,472
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12478141628561121,5313,0626,12410,71712,24821,43424,49642,86885,736171,472
-1-2-4-7-8-14-16-28-56-112-1,531-3,062-6,124-10,717-12,248-21,434-24,496-42,868-85,736-171,472

More Examples

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