Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 219,860?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2198602 x 1099304 x 549655 x 4397210 x 2198620 x 10993
Negative: -1 x -219860-2 x -109930-4 x -54965-5 x -43972-10 x -21986-20 x -10993


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 219,860?

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 219,860, 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.

1 219,860
-1 -219,860

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 219,860.

Example:
1 x 219,860 = 219,860
and
-1 x -219,860 = 219,860
Notice both answers equal 219,860

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 219,860 and divide it by 2:

219,860 ÷ 2 = 109,930

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 109,930 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 2 109,930 219,860
-1 -2 -109,930 -219,860

Now, we try dividing 219,860 by 3:

219,860 ÷ 3 = 73,286.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 73,286.6667 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 2 109,930 219,860
-1 -2 -109,930 -219,860

Let's try dividing by 4:

219,860 ÷ 4 = 54,965

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 54,965 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 4 54,965 109,930 219,860
-1 -2 -4 -54,965 -109,930 219,860
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1245102010,99321,98643,97254,965109,930219,860
-1-2-4-5-10-20-10,993-21,986-43,972-54,965-109,930-219,860

More Examples

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