Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,896?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 318962 x 159483 x 106324 x 79746 x 53168 x 39879 x 354412 x 265818 x 177224 x 132936 x 88672 x 443
Negative: -1 x -31896-2 x -15948-3 x -10632-4 x -7974-6 x -5316-8 x -3987-9 x -3544-12 x -2658-18 x -1772-24 x -1329-36 x -886-72 x -443


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,896?

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 31,896, 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 31,896
-1 -31,896

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 31,896.

Example:
1 x 31,896 = 31,896
and
-1 x -31,896 = 31,896
Notice both answers equal 31,896

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,896 and divide it by 2:

31,896 ÷ 2 = 15,948

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,948 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 15,948 31,896
-1 -2 -15,948 -31,896

Now, we try dividing 31,896 by 3:

31,896 ÷ 3 = 10,632

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,632 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 3 10,632 15,948 31,896
-1 -2 -3 -10,632 -15,948 -31,896

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,896 ÷ 4 = 7,974

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,974 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 3 4 7,974 10,632 15,948 31,896
-1 -2 -3 -4 -7,974 -10,632 -15,948 31,896
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123468912182436724438861,3291,7722,6583,5443,9875,3167,97410,63215,94831,896
-1-2-3-4-6-8-9-12-18-24-36-72-443-886-1,329-1,772-2,658-3,544-3,987-5,316-7,974-10,632-15,948-31,896

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 31,896:


Ask a Question