Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 215,425?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2154255 x 430857 x 3077525 x 861735 x 6155175 x 1231
Negative: -1 x -215425-5 x -43085-7 x -30775-25 x -8617-35 x -6155-175 x -1231


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 215,425?

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 215,425, 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.

1 215,425
-1 -215,425

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 215,425.

Example:
1 x 215,425 = 215,425
and
-1 x -215,425 = 215,425
Notice both answers equal 215,425

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 215,425 and divide it by 2:

215,425 ÷ 2 = 107,712.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 107,712.5 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:

1 215,425
-1 -215,425

Now, we try dividing 215,425 by 3:

215,425 ÷ 3 = 71,808.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 71,808.3333 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:

1 215,425
-1 -215,425

Let's try dividing by 4:

215,425 ÷ 4 = 53,856.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 53,856.25 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:

1 215,425
-1 215,425
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15725351751,2316,1558,61730,77543,085215,425
-1-5-7-25-35-175-1,231-6,155-8,617-30,775-43,085-215,425

More Examples

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