Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 85,825?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 858255 x 1716525 x 3433
Negative: -1 x -85825-5 x -17165-25 x -3433


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 85,825?

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 85,825, 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 85,825
-1 -85,825

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 85,825.

Example:
1 x 85,825 = 85,825
and
-1 x -85,825 = 85,825
Notice both answers equal 85,825

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 85,825 and divide it by 2:

85,825 ÷ 2 = 42,912.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 42,912.5 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 85,825
-1 -85,825

Now, we try dividing 85,825 by 3:

85,825 ÷ 3 = 28,608.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 28,608.3333 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 85,825
-1 -85,825

Let's try dividing by 4:

85,825 ÷ 4 = 21,456.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 21,456.25 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 85,825
-1 85,825
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15253,43317,16585,825
-1-5-25-3,433-17,165-85,825

More Examples

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