Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 71,336?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 713362 x 356684 x 178348 x 891737 x 192874 x 964148 x 482241 x 296
Negative: -1 x -71336-2 x -35668-4 x -17834-8 x -8917-37 x -1928-74 x -964-148 x -482-241 x -296


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 71,336?

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 71,336, 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 71,336
-1 -71,336

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 71,336.

Example:
1 x 71,336 = 71,336
and
-1 x -71,336 = 71,336
Notice both answers equal 71,336

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 71,336 and divide it by 2:

71,336 ÷ 2 = 35,668

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 35,668 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 35,668 71,336
-1 -2 -35,668 -71,336

Now, we try dividing 71,336 by 3:

71,336 ÷ 3 = 23,778.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 23,778.6667 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 35,668 71,336
-1 -2 -35,668 -71,336

Let's try dividing by 4:

71,336 ÷ 4 = 17,834

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 17,834 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 17,834 35,668 71,336
-1 -2 -4 -17,834 -35,668 71,336
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124837741482412964829641,9288,91717,83435,66871,336
-1-2-4-8-37-74-148-241-296-482-964-1,928-8,917-17,834-35,668-71,336

More Examples

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