Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 51,788?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 517882 x 258944 x 1294711 x 470822 x 235444 x 1177107 x 484121 x 428214 x 242
Negative: -1 x -51788-2 x -25894-4 x -12947-11 x -4708-22 x -2354-44 x -1177-107 x -484-121 x -428-214 x -242


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 51,788?

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 51,788, 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 51,788
-1 -51,788

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 51,788.

Example:
1 x 51,788 = 51,788
and
-1 x -51,788 = 51,788
Notice both answers equal 51,788

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 51,788 and divide it by 2:

51,788 ÷ 2 = 25,894

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 25,894 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 25,894 51,788
-1 -2 -25,894 -51,788

Now, we try dividing 51,788 by 3:

51,788 ÷ 3 = 17,262.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 17,262.6667 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 2 25,894 51,788
-1 -2 -25,894 -51,788

Let's try dividing by 4:

51,788 ÷ 4 = 12,947

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,947 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 12,947 25,894 51,788
-1 -2 -4 -12,947 -25,894 51,788
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1241122441071212142424284841,1772,3544,70812,94725,89451,788
-1-2-4-11-22-44-107-121-214-242-428-484-1,177-2,354-4,708-12,947-25,894-51,788

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 51,788:


Ask a Question