Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 17,956?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 179562 x 89784 x 448967 x 268134 x 134
Negative: -1 x -17956-2 x -8978-4 x -4489-67 x -268-134 x -134


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 17,956?

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 17,956, 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 17,956
-1 -17,956

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 17,956.

Example:
1 x 17,956 = 17,956
and
-1 x -17,956 = 17,956
Notice both answers equal 17,956

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 17,956 and divide it by 2:

17,956 ÷ 2 = 8,978

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,978 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 8,978 17,956
-1 -2 -8,978 -17,956

Now, we try dividing 17,956 by 3:

17,956 ÷ 3 = 5,985.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,985.3333 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 8,978 17,956
-1 -2 -8,978 -17,956

Let's try dividing by 4:

17,956 ÷ 4 = 4,489

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,489 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 4,489 8,978 17,956
-1 -2 -4 -4,489 -8,978 17,956
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124671342684,4898,97817,956
-1-2-4-67-134-268-4,489-8,978-17,956

More Examples

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