Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 34,212?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 342122 x 171063 x 114044 x 85536 x 570212 x 2851
Negative: -1 x -34212-2 x -17106-3 x -11404-4 x -8553-6 x -5702-12 x -2851


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 34,212?

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 34,212, 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 34,212
-1 -34,212

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 34,212.

Example:
1 x 34,212 = 34,212
and
-1 x -34,212 = 34,212
Notice both answers equal 34,212

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 34,212 and divide it by 2:

34,212 ÷ 2 = 17,106

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 17,106 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 17,106 34,212
-1 -2 -17,106 -34,212

Now, we try dividing 34,212 by 3:

34,212 ÷ 3 = 11,404

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,404 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 11,404 17,106 34,212
-1 -2 -3 -11,404 -17,106 -34,212

Let's try dividing by 4:

34,212 ÷ 4 = 8,553

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,553 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 8,553 11,404 17,106 34,212
-1 -2 -3 -4 -8,553 -11,404 -17,106 34,212
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346122,8515,7028,55311,40417,10634,212
-1-2-3-4-6-12-2,851-5,702-8,553-11,404-17,106-34,212

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 34,212:


Ask a Question