Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 291,272?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2912722 x 1456364 x 728188 x 3640923 x 1266446 x 633292 x 3166184 x 1583
Negative: -1 x -291272-2 x -145636-4 x -72818-8 x -36409-23 x -12664-46 x -6332-92 x -3166-184 x -1583


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 291,272?

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 291,272, 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.

1 291,272
-1 -291,272

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 291,272.

Example:
1 x 291,272 = 291,272
and
-1 x -291,272 = 291,272
Notice both answers equal 291,272

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 291,272 and divide it by 2:

291,272 ÷ 2 = 145,636

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 145,636 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 2 145,636 291,272
-1 -2 -145,636 -291,272

Now, we try dividing 291,272 by 3:

291,272 ÷ 3 = 97,090.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 97,090.6667 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 2 145,636 291,272
-1 -2 -145,636 -291,272

Let's try dividing by 4:

291,272 ÷ 4 = 72,818

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 72,818 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 4 72,818 145,636 291,272
-1 -2 -4 -72,818 -145,636 291,272
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12482346921841,5833,1666,33212,66436,40972,818145,636291,272
-1-2-4-8-23-46-92-184-1,583-3,166-6,332-12,664-36,409-72,818-145,636-291,272

More Examples

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