Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 208,524?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2085242 x 1042623 x 695084 x 521316 x 3475412 x 17377
Negative: -1 x -208524-2 x -104262-3 x -69508-4 x -52131-6 x -34754-12 x -17377


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 208,524?

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 208,524, 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.

1 208,524
-1 -208,524

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 208,524.

Example:
1 x 208,524 = 208,524
and
-1 x -208,524 = 208,524
Notice both answers equal 208,524

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 208,524 and divide it by 2:

208,524 ÷ 2 = 104,262

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 104,262 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 2 104,262 208,524
-1 -2 -104,262 -208,524

Now, we try dividing 208,524 by 3:

208,524 ÷ 3 = 69,508

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 69,508 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 69,508 104,262 208,524
-1 -2 -3 -69,508 -104,262 -208,524

Let's try dividing by 4:

208,524 ÷ 4 = 52,131

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 52,131 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 52,131 69,508 104,262 208,524
-1 -2 -3 -4 -52,131 -69,508 -104,262 208,524
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461217,37734,75452,13169,508104,262208,524
-1-2-3-4-6-12-17,377-34,754-52,131-69,508-104,262-208,524

More Examples

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