Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 280,536?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2805362 x 1402683 x 935124 x 701346 x 467568 x 3506712 x 2337824 x 11689
Negative: -1 x -280536-2 x -140268-3 x -93512-4 x -70134-6 x -46756-8 x -35067-12 x -23378-24 x -11689


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 280,536?

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 280,536, 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.

1 280,536
-1 -280,536

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 280,536.

Example:
1 x 280,536 = 280,536
and
-1 x -280,536 = 280,536
Notice both answers equal 280,536

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 280,536 and divide it by 2:

280,536 ÷ 2 = 140,268

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 140,268 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 2 140,268 280,536
-1 -2 -140,268 -280,536

Now, we try dividing 280,536 by 3:

280,536 ÷ 3 = 93,512

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 93,512 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 93,512 140,268 280,536
-1 -2 -3 -93,512 -140,268 -280,536

Let's try dividing by 4:

280,536 ÷ 4 = 70,134

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 70,134 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 70,134 93,512 140,268 280,536
-1 -2 -3 -4 -70,134 -93,512 -140,268 280,536
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123468122411,68923,37835,06746,75670,13493,512140,268280,536
-1-2-3-4-6-8-12-24-11,689-23,378-35,067-46,756-70,134-93,512-140,268-280,536

More Examples

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