Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 225,908?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2259082 x 1129544 x 56477
Negative: -1 x -225908-2 x -112954-4 x -56477


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 225,908?

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 225,908, 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.

1 225,908
-1 -225,908

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 225,908.

Example:
1 x 225,908 = 225,908
and
-1 x -225,908 = 225,908
Notice both answers equal 225,908

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 225,908 and divide it by 2:

225,908 ÷ 2 = 112,954

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 112,954 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 2 112,954 225,908
-1 -2 -112,954 -225,908

Now, we try dividing 225,908 by 3:

225,908 ÷ 3 = 75,302.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 75,302.6667 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 2 112,954 225,908
-1 -2 -112,954 -225,908

Let's try dividing by 4:

225,908 ÷ 4 = 56,477

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 56,477 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 56,477 112,954 225,908
-1 -2 -4 -56,477 -112,954 225,908
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12456,477112,954225,908
-1-2-4-56,477-112,954-225,908

More Examples

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