Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 81,996?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 819962 x 409983 x 273324 x 204996 x 1366612 x 6833
Negative: -1 x -81996-2 x -40998-3 x -27332-4 x -20499-6 x -13666-12 x -6833


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 81,996?

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 81,996, 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 81,996
-1 -81,996

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 81,996.

Example:
1 x 81,996 = 81,996
and
-1 x -81,996 = 81,996
Notice both answers equal 81,996

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 81,996 and divide it by 2:

81,996 ÷ 2 = 40,998

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 40,998 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 40,998 81,996
-1 -2 -40,998 -81,996

Now, we try dividing 81,996 by 3:

81,996 ÷ 3 = 27,332

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 27,332 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 3 27,332 40,998 81,996
-1 -2 -3 -27,332 -40,998 -81,996

Let's try dividing by 4:

81,996 ÷ 4 = 20,499

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 20,499 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 3 4 20,499 27,332 40,998 81,996
-1 -2 -3 -4 -20,499 -27,332 -40,998 81,996
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346126,83313,66620,49927,33240,99881,996
-1-2-3-4-6-12-6,833-13,666-20,499-27,332-40,998-81,996

More Examples

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