Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 1,600?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 16002 x 8004 x 4005 x 3208 x 20010 x 16016 x 10020 x 8025 x 6432 x 5040 x 40
Negative: -1 x -1600-2 x -800-4 x -400-5 x -320-8 x -200-10 x -160-16 x -100-20 x -80-25 x -64-32 x -50-40 x -40


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 1,600?

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 1,600, 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 1,600
-1 -1,600

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 1,600.

Example:
1 x 1,600 = 1,600
and
-1 x -1,600 = 1,600
Notice both answers equal 1,600

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 1,600 and divide it by 2:

1,600 ÷ 2 = 800

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 800 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 2 800 1,600
-1 -2 -800 -1,600

Now, we try dividing 1,600 by 3:

1,600 ÷ 3 = 533.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 533.3333 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 2 800 1,600
-1 -2 -800 -1,600

Let's try dividing by 4:

1,600 ÷ 4 = 400

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 400 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 4 400 800 1,600
-1 -2 -4 -400 -800 1,600
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124581016202532405064801001602003204008001,600
-1-2-4-5-8-10-16-20-25-32-40-50-64-80-100-160-200-320-400-800-1,600

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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