Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 209,729?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 20972913 x 1613317 x 1233773 x 2873169 x 1241221 x 949
Negative: -1 x -209729-13 x -16133-17 x -12337-73 x -2873-169 x -1241-221 x -949


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 209,729?

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 209,729, 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.

1 209,729
-1 -209,729

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 209,729.

Example:
1 x 209,729 = 209,729
and
-1 x -209,729 = 209,729
Notice both answers equal 209,729

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 209,729 and divide it by 2:

209,729 ÷ 2 = 104,864.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 104,864.5 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:

1 209,729
-1 -209,729

Now, we try dividing 209,729 by 3:

209,729 ÷ 3 = 69,909.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 69,909.6667 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:

1 209,729
-1 -209,729

Let's try dividing by 4:

209,729 ÷ 4 = 52,432.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 52,432.25 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:

1 209,729
-1 209,729
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11317731692219491,2412,87312,33716,133209,729
-1-13-17-73-169-221-949-1,241-2,873-12,337-16,133-209,729

More Examples

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