Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 25,845?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 258453 x 86155 x 516915 x 1723
Negative: -1 x -25845-3 x -8615-5 x -5169-15 x -1723


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 25,845?

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 25,845, 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 25,845
-1 -25,845

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 25,845.

Example:
1 x 25,845 = 25,845
and
-1 x -25,845 = 25,845
Notice both answers equal 25,845

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 25,845 and divide it by 2:

25,845 ÷ 2 = 12,922.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,922.5 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 25,845
-1 -25,845

Now, we try dividing 25,845 by 3:

25,845 ÷ 3 = 8,615

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,615 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 3 8,615 25,845
-1 -3 -8,615 -25,845

Let's try dividing by 4:

25,845 ÷ 4 = 6,461.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,461.25 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 3 8,615 25,845
-1 -3 -8,615 25,845
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

135151,7235,1698,61525,845
-1-3-5-15-1,723-5,169-8,615-25,845

More Examples

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