Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 82,158?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 821582 x 410793 x 273866 x 13693
Negative: -1 x -82158-2 x -41079-3 x -27386-6 x -13693


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 82,158?

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 82,158, 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 82,158
-1 -82,158

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 82,158.

Example:
1 x 82,158 = 82,158
and
-1 x -82,158 = 82,158
Notice both answers equal 82,158

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 82,158 and divide it by 2:

82,158 ÷ 2 = 41,079

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 41,079 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 41,079 82,158
-1 -2 -41,079 -82,158

Now, we try dividing 82,158 by 3:

82,158 ÷ 3 = 27,386

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 27,386 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 27,386 41,079 82,158
-1 -2 -3 -27,386 -41,079 -82,158

Let's try dividing by 4:

82,158 ÷ 4 = 20,539.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 20,539.5 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 2 3 27,386 41,079 82,158
-1 -2 -3 -27,386 -41,079 82,158
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123613,69327,38641,07982,158
-1-2-3-6-13,693-27,386-41,079-82,158

More Examples

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