Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 24,144?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 241442 x 120723 x 80484 x 60366 x 40248 x 301812 x 201216 x 150924 x 100648 x 503
Negative: -1 x -24144-2 x -12072-3 x -8048-4 x -6036-6 x -4024-8 x -3018-12 x -2012-16 x -1509-24 x -1006-48 x -503


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 24,144?

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 24,144, 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 24,144
-1 -24,144

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 24,144.

Example:
1 x 24,144 = 24,144
and
-1 x -24,144 = 24,144
Notice both answers equal 24,144

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 24,144 and divide it by 2:

24,144 ÷ 2 = 12,072

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,072 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 12,072 24,144
-1 -2 -12,072 -24,144

Now, we try dividing 24,144 by 3:

24,144 ÷ 3 = 8,048

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,048 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 8,048 12,072 24,144
-1 -2 -3 -8,048 -12,072 -24,144

Let's try dividing by 4:

24,144 ÷ 4 = 6,036

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,036 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 6,036 8,048 12,072 24,144
-1 -2 -3 -4 -6,036 -8,048 -12,072 24,144
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123468121624485031,0061,5092,0123,0184,0246,0368,04812,07224,144
-1-2-3-4-6-8-12-16-24-48-503-1,006-1,509-2,012-3,018-4,024-6,036-8,048-12,072-24,144

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 24,144:


Ask a Question