Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 12,396?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 123962 x 61983 x 41324 x 30996 x 206612 x 1033
Negative: -1 x -12396-2 x -6198-3 x -4132-4 x -3099-6 x -2066-12 x -1033


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 12,396?

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 12,396, 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 12,396
-1 -12,396

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 12,396.

Example:
1 x 12,396 = 12,396
and
-1 x -12,396 = 12,396
Notice both answers equal 12,396

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 12,396 and divide it by 2:

12,396 ÷ 2 = 6,198

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 6,198 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 6,198 12,396
-1 -2 -6,198 -12,396

Now, we try dividing 12,396 by 3:

12,396 ÷ 3 = 4,132

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 4,132 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 4,132 6,198 12,396
-1 -2 -3 -4,132 -6,198 -12,396

Let's try dividing by 4:

12,396 ÷ 4 = 3,099

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,099 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 3,099 4,132 6,198 12,396
-1 -2 -3 -4 -3,099 -4,132 -6,198 12,396
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346121,0332,0663,0994,1326,19812,396
-1-2-3-4-6-12-1,033-2,066-3,099-4,132-6,198-12,396

More Examples

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