Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 216,935?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2169355 x 4338743 x 5045215 x 1009
Negative: -1 x -216935-5 x -43387-43 x -5045-215 x -1009


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 216,935?

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 216,935, 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.

1 216,935
-1 -216,935

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 216,935.

Example:
1 x 216,935 = 216,935
and
-1 x -216,935 = 216,935
Notice both answers equal 216,935

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 216,935 and divide it by 2:

216,935 ÷ 2 = 108,467.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 108,467.5 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:

1 216,935
-1 -216,935

Now, we try dividing 216,935 by 3:

216,935 ÷ 3 = 72,311.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 72,311.6667 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:

1 216,935
-1 -216,935

Let's try dividing by 4:

216,935 ÷ 4 = 54,233.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 54,233.75 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:

1 216,935
-1 216,935
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15432151,0095,04543,387216,935
-1-5-43-215-1,009-5,045-43,387-216,935

More Examples

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