Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 40,024?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 400242 x 200124 x 100068 x 5003
Negative: -1 x -40024-2 x -20012-4 x -10006-8 x -5003


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 40,024?

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 40,024, 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 40,024
-1 -40,024

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 40,024.

Example:
1 x 40,024 = 40,024
and
-1 x -40,024 = 40,024
Notice both answers equal 40,024

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 40,024 and divide it by 2:

40,024 ÷ 2 = 20,012

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 20,012 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 20,012 40,024
-1 -2 -20,012 -40,024

Now, we try dividing 40,024 by 3:

40,024 ÷ 3 = 13,341.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 13,341.3333 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 20,012 40,024
-1 -2 -20,012 -40,024

Let's try dividing by 4:

40,024 ÷ 4 = 10,006

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,006 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 10,006 20,012 40,024
-1 -2 -4 -10,006 -20,012 40,024
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12485,00310,00620,01240,024
-1-2-4-8-5,003-10,006-20,012-40,024

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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