Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 177,942?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1779422 x 889713 x 593146 x 2965747 x 378694 x 1893141 x 1262282 x 631
Negative: -1 x -177942-2 x -88971-3 x -59314-6 x -29657-47 x -3786-94 x -1893-141 x -1262-282 x -631


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 177,942?

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 177,942, 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.

1 177,942
-1 -177,942

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 177,942.

Example:
1 x 177,942 = 177,942
and
-1 x -177,942 = 177,942
Notice both answers equal 177,942

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 177,942 and divide it by 2:

177,942 ÷ 2 = 88,971

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 88,971 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 88,971 177,942
-1 -2 -88,971 -177,942

Now, we try dividing 177,942 by 3:

177,942 ÷ 3 = 59,314

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 59,314 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 3 59,314 88,971 177,942
-1 -2 -3 -59,314 -88,971 -177,942

Let's try dividing by 4:

177,942 ÷ 4 = 44,485.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 44,485.5 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 2 3 59,314 88,971 177,942
-1 -2 -3 -59,314 -88,971 177,942
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123647941412826311,2621,8933,78629,65759,31488,971177,942
-1-2-3-6-47-94-141-282-631-1,262-1,893-3,786-29,657-59,314-88,971-177,942

More Examples

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