Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 262,130?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2621302 x 1310655 x 5242610 x 2621311 x 2383022 x 1191555 x 4766110 x 2383
Negative: -1 x -262130-2 x -131065-5 x -52426-10 x -26213-11 x -23830-22 x -11915-55 x -4766-110 x -2383


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 262,130?

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 262,130, 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.

1 262,130
-1 -262,130

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 262,130.

Example:
1 x 262,130 = 262,130
and
-1 x -262,130 = 262,130
Notice both answers equal 262,130

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 262,130 and divide it by 2:

262,130 ÷ 2 = 131,065

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 131,065 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 2 131,065 262,130
-1 -2 -131,065 -262,130

Now, we try dividing 262,130 by 3:

262,130 ÷ 3 = 87,376.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 87,376.6667 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 2 131,065 262,130
-1 -2 -131,065 -262,130

Let's try dividing by 4:

262,130 ÷ 4 = 65,532.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 65,532.5 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 2 131,065 262,130
-1 -2 -131,065 262,130
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

125101122551102,3834,76611,91523,83026,21352,426131,065262,130
-1-2-5-10-11-22-55-110-2,383-4,766-11,915-23,830-26,213-52,426-131,065-262,130

More Examples

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