Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 97,772?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 977722 x 488864 x 24443
Negative: -1 x -97772-2 x -48886-4 x -24443


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 97,772?

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 97,772, 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 97,772
-1 -97,772

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 97,772.

Example:
1 x 97,772 = 97,772
and
-1 x -97,772 = 97,772
Notice both answers equal 97,772

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 97,772 and divide it by 2:

97,772 ÷ 2 = 48,886

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 48,886 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 48,886 97,772
-1 -2 -48,886 -97,772

Now, we try dividing 97,772 by 3:

97,772 ÷ 3 = 32,590.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 32,590.6667 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 48,886 97,772
-1 -2 -48,886 -97,772

Let's try dividing by 4:

97,772 ÷ 4 = 24,443

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 24,443 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 24,443 48,886 97,772
-1 -2 -4 -24,443 -48,886 97,772
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12424,44348,88697,772
-1-2-4-24,443-48,886-97,772

More Examples

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