Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 56,172,167?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 561721671433 x 39199
Negative: -1 x -56172167-1433 x -39199


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 56,172,167?

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 56,172,167, 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 56,172,167
-1 -56,172,167

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 56,172,167.

Example:
1 x 56,172,167 = 56,172,167
and
-1 x -56,172,167 = 56,172,167
Notice both answers equal 56,172,167

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 56,172,167 and divide it by 2:

56,172,167 ÷ 2 = 28,086,083.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 28,086,083.5 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 56,172,167
-1 -56,172,167

Now, we try dividing 56,172,167 by 3:

56,172,167 ÷ 3 = 18,724,055.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 18,724,055.6667 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 56,172,167
-1 -56,172,167

Let's try dividing by 4:

56,172,167 ÷ 4 = 14,043,041.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 14,043,041.75 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 56,172,167
-1 56,172,167
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,43339,19956,172,167
-1-1,433-39,199-56,172,167

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 56,172,167:


Ask a Question