Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 203,172?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2031722 x 1015863 x 677244 x 507936 x 3386212 x 16931
Negative: -1 x -203172-2 x -101586-3 x -67724-4 x -50793-6 x -33862-12 x -16931


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 203,172?

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 203,172, 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.

1 203,172
-1 -203,172

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 203,172.

Example:
1 x 203,172 = 203,172
and
-1 x -203,172 = 203,172
Notice both answers equal 203,172

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 203,172 and divide it by 2:

203,172 ÷ 2 = 101,586

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 101,586 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 2 101,586 203,172
-1 -2 -101,586 -203,172

Now, we try dividing 203,172 by 3:

203,172 ÷ 3 = 67,724

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 67,724 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 67,724 101,586 203,172
-1 -2 -3 -67,724 -101,586 -203,172

Let's try dividing by 4:

203,172 ÷ 4 = 50,793

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 50,793 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 50,793 67,724 101,586 203,172
-1 -2 -3 -4 -50,793 -67,724 -101,586 203,172
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461216,93133,86250,79367,724101,586203,172
-1-2-3-4-6-12-16,931-33,862-50,793-67,724-101,586-203,172

More Examples

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