Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 271,994?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2719942 x 13599731 x 877441 x 663462 x 438782 x 3317107 x 2542214 x 1271
Negative: -1 x -271994-2 x -135997-31 x -8774-41 x -6634-62 x -4387-82 x -3317-107 x -2542-214 x -1271


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 271,994?

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 271,994, 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.

1 271,994
-1 -271,994

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 271,994.

Example:
1 x 271,994 = 271,994
and
-1 x -271,994 = 271,994
Notice both answers equal 271,994

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 271,994 and divide it by 2:

271,994 ÷ 2 = 135,997

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 135,997 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 2 135,997 271,994
-1 -2 -135,997 -271,994

Now, we try dividing 271,994 by 3:

271,994 ÷ 3 = 90,664.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 90,664.6667 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 2 135,997 271,994
-1 -2 -135,997 -271,994

Let's try dividing by 4:

271,994 ÷ 4 = 67,998.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 67,998.5 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 2 135,997 271,994
-1 -2 -135,997 271,994
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12314162821072141,2712,5423,3174,3876,6348,774135,997271,994
-1-2-31-41-62-82-107-214-1,271-2,542-3,317-4,387-6,634-8,774-135,997-271,994

More Examples

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