Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 236,724?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2367242 x 1183623 x 789084 x 591816 x 3945412 x 19727
Negative: -1 x -236724-2 x -118362-3 x -78908-4 x -59181-6 x -39454-12 x -19727


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 236,724?

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 236,724, 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.

1 236,724
-1 -236,724

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 236,724.

Example:
1 x 236,724 = 236,724
and
-1 x -236,724 = 236,724
Notice both answers equal 236,724

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 236,724 and divide it by 2:

236,724 ÷ 2 = 118,362

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 118,362 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 2 118,362 236,724
-1 -2 -118,362 -236,724

Now, we try dividing 236,724 by 3:

236,724 ÷ 3 = 78,908

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 78,908 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 78,908 118,362 236,724
-1 -2 -3 -78,908 -118,362 -236,724

Let's try dividing by 4:

236,724 ÷ 4 = 59,181

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,181 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 59,181 78,908 118,362 236,724
-1 -2 -3 -4 -59,181 -78,908 -118,362 236,724
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123461219,72739,45459,18178,908118,362236,724
-1-2-3-4-6-12-19,727-39,454-59,181-78,908-118,362-236,724

More Examples

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