Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 48,229?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4822917 x 2837
Negative: -1 x -48229-17 x -2837


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 48,229?

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 48,229, 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 48,229
-1 -48,229

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 48,229.

Example:
1 x 48,229 = 48,229
and
-1 x -48,229 = 48,229
Notice both answers equal 48,229

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 48,229 and divide it by 2:

48,229 ÷ 2 = 24,114.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 24,114.5 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 48,229
-1 -48,229

Now, we try dividing 48,229 by 3:

48,229 ÷ 3 = 16,076.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,076.3333 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 48,229
-1 -48,229

Let's try dividing by 4:

48,229 ÷ 4 = 12,057.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,057.25 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 48,229
-1 48,229
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1172,83748,229
-1-17-2,837-48,229

More Examples

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