Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 54,284?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 542842 x 271424 x 1357141 x 132482 x 662164 x 331
Negative: -1 x -54284-2 x -27142-4 x -13571-41 x -1324-82 x -662-164 x -331


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 54,284?

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 54,284, 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 54,284
-1 -54,284

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 54,284.

Example:
1 x 54,284 = 54,284
and
-1 x -54,284 = 54,284
Notice both answers equal 54,284

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 54,284 and divide it by 2:

54,284 ÷ 2 = 27,142

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 27,142 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 27,142 54,284
-1 -2 -27,142 -54,284

Now, we try dividing 54,284 by 3:

54,284 ÷ 3 = 18,094.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 18,094.6667 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 27,142 54,284
-1 -2 -27,142 -54,284

Let's try dividing by 4:

54,284 ÷ 4 = 13,571

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 13,571 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 13,571 27,142 54,284
-1 -2 -4 -13,571 -27,142 54,284
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12441821643316621,32413,57127,14254,284
-1-2-4-41-82-164-331-662-1,324-13,571-27,142-54,284

More Examples

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