Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 50,141?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 501417 x 716313 x 385719 x 263929 x 172991 x 551133 x 377203 x 247
Negative: -1 x -50141-7 x -7163-13 x -3857-19 x -2639-29 x -1729-91 x -551-133 x -377-203 x -247


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 50,141?

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 50,141, 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 50,141
-1 -50,141

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 50,141.

Example:
1 x 50,141 = 50,141
and
-1 x -50,141 = 50,141
Notice both answers equal 50,141

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 50,141 and divide it by 2:

50,141 ÷ 2 = 25,070.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 25,070.5 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 50,141
-1 -50,141

Now, we try dividing 50,141 by 3:

50,141 ÷ 3 = 16,713.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,713.6667 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 50,141
-1 -50,141

Let's try dividing by 4:

50,141 ÷ 4 = 12,535.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,535.25 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 50,141
-1 50,141
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17131929911332032473775511,7292,6393,8577,16350,141
-1-7-13-19-29-91-133-203-247-377-551-1,729-2,639-3,857-7,163-50,141

More Examples

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