Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 16,555?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 165555 x 33117 x 236511 x 150535 x 47343 x 38555 x 30177 x 215
Negative: -1 x -16555-5 x -3311-7 x -2365-11 x -1505-35 x -473-43 x -385-55 x -301-77 x -215


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 16,555?

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 16,555, 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 16,555
-1 -16,555

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 16,555.

Example:
1 x 16,555 = 16,555
and
-1 x -16,555 = 16,555
Notice both answers equal 16,555

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 16,555 and divide it by 2:

16,555 ÷ 2 = 8,277.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,277.5 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 16,555
-1 -16,555

Now, we try dividing 16,555 by 3:

16,555 ÷ 3 = 5,518.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,518.3333 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 16,555
-1 -16,555

Let's try dividing by 4:

16,555 ÷ 4 = 4,138.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,138.75 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 16,555
-1 16,555
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15711354355772153013854731,5052,3653,31116,555
-1-5-7-11-35-43-55-77-215-301-385-473-1,505-2,365-3,311-16,555

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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