Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 189,215?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1892155 x 3784313 x 1455541 x 461565 x 291171 x 2665205 x 923355 x 533
Negative: -1 x -189215-5 x -37843-13 x -14555-41 x -4615-65 x -2911-71 x -2665-205 x -923-355 x -533


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 189,215?

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 189,215, 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.

1 189,215
-1 -189,215

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 189,215.

Example:
1 x 189,215 = 189,215
and
-1 x -189,215 = 189,215
Notice both answers equal 189,215

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 189,215 and divide it by 2:

189,215 ÷ 2 = 94,607.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 94,607.5 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:

1 189,215
-1 -189,215

Now, we try dividing 189,215 by 3:

189,215 ÷ 3 = 63,071.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 63,071.6667 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:

1 189,215
-1 -189,215

Let's try dividing by 4:

189,215 ÷ 4 = 47,303.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 47,303.75 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:

1 189,215
-1 189,215
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15134165712053555339232,6652,9114,61514,55537,843189,215
-1-5-13-41-65-71-205-355-533-923-2,665-2,911-4,615-14,555-37,843-189,215

More Examples

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