Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 207,728?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2077282 x 1038644 x 519328 x 2596616 x 12983
Negative: -1 x -207728-2 x -103864-4 x -51932-8 x -25966-16 x -12983


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 207,728?

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 207,728, 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.

1 207,728
-1 -207,728

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 207,728.

Example:
1 x 207,728 = 207,728
and
-1 x -207,728 = 207,728
Notice both answers equal 207,728

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 207,728 and divide it by 2:

207,728 ÷ 2 = 103,864

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 103,864 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 2 103,864 207,728
-1 -2 -103,864 -207,728

Now, we try dividing 207,728 by 3:

207,728 ÷ 3 = 69,242.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 69,242.6667 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 2 103,864 207,728
-1 -2 -103,864 -207,728

Let's try dividing by 4:

207,728 ÷ 4 = 51,932

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 51,932 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 4 51,932 103,864 207,728
-1 -2 -4 -51,932 -103,864 207,728
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12481612,98325,96651,932103,864207,728
-1-2-4-8-16-12,983-25,966-51,932-103,864-207,728

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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