Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 217,608?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2176082 x 1088043 x 725364 x 544026 x 362688 x 2720112 x 1813424 x 9067
Negative: -1 x -217608-2 x -108804-3 x -72536-4 x -54402-6 x -36268-8 x -27201-12 x -18134-24 x -9067


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 217,608?

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 217,608, 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.

1 217,608
-1 -217,608

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 217,608.

Example:
1 x 217,608 = 217,608
and
-1 x -217,608 = 217,608
Notice both answers equal 217,608

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 217,608 and divide it by 2:

217,608 ÷ 2 = 108,804

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 108,804 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 2 108,804 217,608
-1 -2 -108,804 -217,608

Now, we try dividing 217,608 by 3:

217,608 ÷ 3 = 72,536

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 72,536 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 72,536 108,804 217,608
-1 -2 -3 -72,536 -108,804 -217,608

Let's try dividing by 4:

217,608 ÷ 4 = 54,402

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 54,402 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 54,402 72,536 108,804 217,608
-1 -2 -3 -4 -54,402 -72,536 -108,804 217,608
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346812249,06718,13427,20136,26854,40272,536108,804217,608
-1-2-3-4-6-8-12-24-9,067-18,134-27,201-36,268-54,402-72,536-108,804-217,608

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 217,608:


Ask a Question