Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 39,436?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 394362 x 197184 x 9859
Negative: -1 x -39436-2 x -19718-4 x -9859


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 39,436?

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 39,436, 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 39,436
-1 -39,436

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 39,436.

Example:
1 x 39,436 = 39,436
and
-1 x -39,436 = 39,436
Notice both answers equal 39,436

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 39,436 and divide it by 2:

39,436 ÷ 2 = 19,718

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 19,718 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 19,718 39,436
-1 -2 -19,718 -39,436

Now, we try dividing 39,436 by 3:

39,436 ÷ 3 = 13,145.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 13,145.3333 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 19,718 39,436
-1 -2 -19,718 -39,436

Let's try dividing by 4:

39,436 ÷ 4 = 9,859

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 9,859 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 9,859 19,718 39,436
-1 -2 -4 -9,859 -19,718 39,436
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1249,85919,71839,436
-1-2-4-9,859-19,718-39,436

More Examples

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