Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 274,703?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 27470311 x 2497313 x 2113117 x 16159113 x 2431143 x 1921187 x 1469221 x 1243
Negative: -1 x -274703-11 x -24973-13 x -21131-17 x -16159-113 x -2431-143 x -1921-187 x -1469-221 x -1243


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 274,703?

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 274,703, 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.

1 274,703
-1 -274,703

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 274,703.

Example:
1 x 274,703 = 274,703
and
-1 x -274,703 = 274,703
Notice both answers equal 274,703

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 274,703 and divide it by 2:

274,703 ÷ 2 = 137,351.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 137,351.5 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:

1 274,703
-1 -274,703

Now, we try dividing 274,703 by 3:

274,703 ÷ 3 = 91,567.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 91,567.6667 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:

1 274,703
-1 -274,703

Let's try dividing by 4:

274,703 ÷ 4 = 68,675.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 68,675.75 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:

1 274,703
-1 274,703
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11113171131431872211,2431,4691,9212,43116,15921,13124,973274,703
-1-11-13-17-113-143-187-221-1,243-1,469-1,921-2,431-16,159-21,131-24,973-274,703

More Examples

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