Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 153,791?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 15379111 x 1398131 x 496141 x 3751121 x 1271341 x 451
Negative: -1 x -153791-11 x -13981-31 x -4961-41 x -3751-121 x -1271-341 x -451


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 153,791?

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 153,791, 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.

1 153,791
-1 -153,791

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 153,791.

Example:
1 x 153,791 = 153,791
and
-1 x -153,791 = 153,791
Notice both answers equal 153,791

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 153,791 and divide it by 2:

153,791 ÷ 2 = 76,895.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 76,895.5 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:

1 153,791
-1 -153,791

Now, we try dividing 153,791 by 3:

153,791 ÷ 3 = 51,263.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 51,263.6667 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:

1 153,791
-1 -153,791

Let's try dividing by 4:

153,791 ÷ 4 = 38,447.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 38,447.75 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:

1 153,791
-1 153,791
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11131411213414511,2713,7514,96113,981153,791
-1-11-31-41-121-341-451-1,271-3,751-4,961-13,981-153,791

More Examples

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