Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 203,052?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2030522 x 1015263 x 676844 x 507636 x 3384212 x 16921
Negative: -1 x -203052-2 x -101526-3 x -67684-4 x -50763-6 x -33842-12 x -16921


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 203,052?

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 203,052, 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.

1 203,052
-1 -203,052

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 203,052.

Example:
1 x 203,052 = 203,052
and
-1 x -203,052 = 203,052
Notice both answers equal 203,052

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 203,052 and divide it by 2:

203,052 ÷ 2 = 101,526

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 101,526 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 2 101,526 203,052
-1 -2 -101,526 -203,052

Now, we try dividing 203,052 by 3:

203,052 ÷ 3 = 67,684

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 67,684 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 67,684 101,526 203,052
-1 -2 -3 -67,684 -101,526 -203,052

Let's try dividing by 4:

203,052 ÷ 4 = 50,763

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 50,763 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 50,763 67,684 101,526 203,052
-1 -2 -3 -4 -50,763 -67,684 -101,526 203,052
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461216,92133,84250,76367,684101,526203,052
-1-2-3-4-6-12-16,921-33,842-50,763-67,684-101,526-203,052

More Examples

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