Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 185,525?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1855255 x 3710525 x 742141 x 4525181 x 1025205 x 905
Negative: -1 x -185525-5 x -37105-25 x -7421-41 x -4525-181 x -1025-205 x -905


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 185,525?

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 185,525, 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.

1 185,525
-1 -185,525

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 185,525.

Example:
1 x 185,525 = 185,525
and
-1 x -185,525 = 185,525
Notice both answers equal 185,525

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 185,525 and divide it by 2:

185,525 ÷ 2 = 92,762.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 92,762.5 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:

1 185,525
-1 -185,525

Now, we try dividing 185,525 by 3:

185,525 ÷ 3 = 61,841.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 61,841.6667 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:

1 185,525
-1 -185,525

Let's try dividing by 4:

185,525 ÷ 4 = 46,381.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 46,381.25 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:

1 185,525
-1 185,525
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1525411812059051,0254,5257,42137,105185,525
-1-5-25-41-181-205-905-1,025-4,525-7,421-37,105-185,525

More Examples

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