Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 32,836?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 328362 x 164184 x 8209
Negative: -1 x -32836-2 x -16418-4 x -8209


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 32,836?

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 32,836, 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 32,836
-1 -32,836

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 32,836.

Example:
1 x 32,836 = 32,836
and
-1 x -32,836 = 32,836
Notice both answers equal 32,836

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 32,836 and divide it by 2:

32,836 ÷ 2 = 16,418

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 16,418 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 16,418 32,836
-1 -2 -16,418 -32,836

Now, we try dividing 32,836 by 3:

32,836 ÷ 3 = 10,945.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,945.3333 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 16,418 32,836
-1 -2 -16,418 -32,836

Let's try dividing by 4:

32,836 ÷ 4 = 8,209

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,209 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 8,209 16,418 32,836
-1 -2 -4 -8,209 -16,418 32,836
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248,20916,41832,836
-1-2-4-8,209-16,418-32,836

More Examples

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