Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 540,625?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5406255 x 10812525 x 21625125 x 4325173 x 3125625 x 865
Negative: -1 x -540625-5 x -108125-25 x -21625-125 x -4325-173 x -3125-625 x -865


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 540,625?

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 540,625, 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.

1 540,625
-1 -540,625

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 540,625.

Example:
1 x 540,625 = 540,625
and
-1 x -540,625 = 540,625
Notice both answers equal 540,625

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 540,625 and divide it by 2:

540,625 ÷ 2 = 270,312.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 270,312.5 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:

1 540,625
-1 -540,625

Now, we try dividing 540,625 by 3:

540,625 ÷ 3 = 180,208.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 180,208.3333 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:

1 540,625
-1 -540,625

Let's try dividing by 4:

540,625 ÷ 4 = 135,156.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 135,156.25 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:

1 540,625
-1 540,625
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15251251736258653,1254,32521,625108,125540,625
-1-5-25-125-173-625-865-3,125-4,325-21,625-108,125-540,625

More Examples

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