Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 179,412?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1794122 x 897063 x 598044 x 448536 x 2990212 x 14951
Negative: -1 x -179412-2 x -89706-3 x -59804-4 x -44853-6 x -29902-12 x -14951


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 179,412?

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 179,412, 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.

1 179,412
-1 -179,412

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 179,412.

Example:
1 x 179,412 = 179,412
and
-1 x -179,412 = 179,412
Notice both answers equal 179,412

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 179,412 and divide it by 2:

179,412 ÷ 2 = 89,706

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 89,706 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 89,706 179,412
-1 -2 -89,706 -179,412

Now, we try dividing 179,412 by 3:

179,412 ÷ 3 = 59,804

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 59,804 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 59,804 89,706 179,412
-1 -2 -3 -59,804 -89,706 -179,412

Let's try dividing by 4:

179,412 ÷ 4 = 44,853

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 44,853 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 4 44,853 59,804 89,706 179,412
-1 -2 -3 -4 -44,853 -59,804 -89,706 179,412
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461214,95129,90244,85359,80489,706179,412
-1-2-3-4-6-12-14,951-29,902-44,853-59,804-89,706-179,412

More Examples

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