Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 35,875?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 358755 x 71757 x 512525 x 143535 x 102541 x 875125 x 287175 x 205
Negative: -1 x -35875-5 x -7175-7 x -5125-25 x -1435-35 x -1025-41 x -875-125 x -287-175 x -205


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 35,875?

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 35,875, 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 35,875
-1 -35,875

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 35,875.

Example:
1 x 35,875 = 35,875
and
-1 x -35,875 = 35,875
Notice both answers equal 35,875

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 35,875 and divide it by 2:

35,875 ÷ 2 = 17,937.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 17,937.5 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 35,875
-1 -35,875

Now, we try dividing 35,875 by 3:

35,875 ÷ 3 = 11,958.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,958.3333 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 35,875
-1 -35,875

Let's try dividing by 4:

35,875 ÷ 4 = 8,968.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,968.75 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 35,875
-1 35,875
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1572535411251752052878751,0251,4355,1257,17535,875
-1-5-7-25-35-41-125-175-205-287-875-1,025-1,435-5,125-7,175-35,875

More Examples

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