Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,361?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 183617 x 262343 x 42761 x 301
Negative: -1 x -18361-7 x -2623-43 x -427-61 x -301


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,361?

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 18,361, 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 18,361
-1 -18,361

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 18,361.

Example:
1 x 18,361 = 18,361
and
-1 x -18,361 = 18,361
Notice both answers equal 18,361

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,361 and divide it by 2:

18,361 ÷ 2 = 9,180.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,180.5 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 18,361
-1 -18,361

Now, we try dividing 18,361 by 3:

18,361 ÷ 3 = 6,120.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,120.3333 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 18,361
-1 -18,361

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,361 ÷ 4 = 4,590.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,590.25 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 18,361
-1 18,361
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1743613014272,62318,361
-1-7-43-61-301-427-2,623-18,361

More Examples

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