Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 261,940?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2619402 x 1309704 x 654855 x 523887 x 3742010 x 2619414 x 1871020 x 1309728 x 935535 x 748470 x 3742140 x 1871
Negative: -1 x -261940-2 x -130970-4 x -65485-5 x -52388-7 x -37420-10 x -26194-14 x -18710-20 x -13097-28 x -9355-35 x -7484-70 x -3742-140 x -1871


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 261,940?

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 261,940, 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.

1 261,940
-1 -261,940

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 261,940.

Example:
1 x 261,940 = 261,940
and
-1 x -261,940 = 261,940
Notice both answers equal 261,940

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 261,940 and divide it by 2:

261,940 ÷ 2 = 130,970

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 130,970 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 2 130,970 261,940
-1 -2 -130,970 -261,940

Now, we try dividing 261,940 by 3:

261,940 ÷ 3 = 87,313.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 87,313.3333 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 2 130,970 261,940
-1 -2 -130,970 -261,940

Let's try dividing by 4:

261,940 ÷ 4 = 65,485

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 65,485 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 65,485 130,970 261,940
-1 -2 -4 -65,485 -130,970 261,940
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124571014202835701401,8713,7427,4849,35513,09718,71026,19437,42052,38865,485130,970261,940
-1-2-4-5-7-10-14-20-28-35-70-140-1,871-3,742-7,484-9,355-13,097-18,710-26,194-37,420-52,388-65,485-130,970-261,940

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