Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 65,356?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 653562 x 326784 x 16339
Negative: -1 x -65356-2 x -32678-4 x -16339


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 65,356?

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 65,356, 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 65,356
-1 -65,356

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 65,356.

Example:
1 x 65,356 = 65,356
and
-1 x -65,356 = 65,356
Notice both answers equal 65,356

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 65,356 and divide it by 2:

65,356 ÷ 2 = 32,678

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 32,678 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 32,678 65,356
-1 -2 -32,678 -65,356

Now, we try dividing 65,356 by 3:

65,356 ÷ 3 = 21,785.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 21,785.3333 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 2 32,678 65,356
-1 -2 -32,678 -65,356

Let's try dividing by 4:

65,356 ÷ 4 = 16,339

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 16,339 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 16,339 32,678 65,356
-1 -2 -4 -16,339 -32,678 65,356
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12416,33932,67865,356
-1-2-4-16,339-32,678-65,356

More Examples

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