Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 175,173?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1751733 x 58391
Negative: -1 x -175173-3 x -58391


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 175,173?

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 175,173, 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.

1 175,173
-1 -175,173

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 175,173.

Example:
1 x 175,173 = 175,173
and
-1 x -175,173 = 175,173
Notice both answers equal 175,173

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 175,173 and divide it by 2:

175,173 ÷ 2 = 87,586.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 87,586.5 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:

1 175,173
-1 -175,173

Now, we try dividing 175,173 by 3:

175,173 ÷ 3 = 58,391

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 58,391 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 58,391 175,173
-1 -3 -58,391 -175,173

Let's try dividing by 4:

175,173 ÷ 4 = 43,793.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 43,793.25 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 58,391 175,173
-1 -3 -58,391 175,173
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1358,391175,173
-1-3-58,391-175,173

More Examples

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