Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 33,943?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 339437 x 484913 x 261191 x 373
Negative: -1 x -33943-7 x -4849-13 x -2611-91 x -373


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 33,943?

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 33,943, 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 33,943
-1 -33,943

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 33,943.

Example:
1 x 33,943 = 33,943
and
-1 x -33,943 = 33,943
Notice both answers equal 33,943

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 33,943 and divide it by 2:

33,943 ÷ 2 = 16,971.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 16,971.5 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 33,943
-1 -33,943

Now, we try dividing 33,943 by 3:

33,943 ÷ 3 = 11,314.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,314.3333 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 33,943
-1 -33,943

Let's try dividing by 4:

33,943 ÷ 4 = 8,485.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,485.75 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 33,943
-1 33,943
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1713913732,6114,84933,943
-1-7-13-91-373-2,611-4,849-33,943

More Examples

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