Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 656,159?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6561597 x 9373749 x 13391343 x 1913
Negative: -1 x -656159-7 x -93737-49 x -13391-343 x -1913


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 656,159?

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 656,159, 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.

1 656,159
-1 -656,159

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 656,159.

Example:
1 x 656,159 = 656,159
and
-1 x -656,159 = 656,159
Notice both answers equal 656,159

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 656,159 and divide it by 2:

656,159 ÷ 2 = 328,079.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 328,079.5 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:

1 656,159
-1 -656,159

Now, we try dividing 656,159 by 3:

656,159 ÷ 3 = 218,719.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 218,719.6667 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:

1 656,159
-1 -656,159

Let's try dividing by 4:

656,159 ÷ 4 = 164,039.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 164,039.75 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:

1 656,159
-1 656,159
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17493431,91313,39193,737656,159
-1-7-49-343-1,913-13,391-93,737-656,159

More Examples

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