Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 35,848?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 358482 x 179244 x 89628 x 4481
Negative: -1 x -35848-2 x -17924-4 x -8962-8 x -4481


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 35,848?

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 35,848, 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 35,848
-1 -35,848

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 35,848.

Example:
1 x 35,848 = 35,848
and
-1 x -35,848 = 35,848
Notice both answers equal 35,848

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 35,848 and divide it by 2:

35,848 ÷ 2 = 17,924

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 17,924 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 17,924 35,848
-1 -2 -17,924 -35,848

Now, we try dividing 35,848 by 3:

35,848 ÷ 3 = 11,949.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,949.3333 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 17,924 35,848
-1 -2 -17,924 -35,848

Let's try dividing by 4:

35,848 ÷ 4 = 8,962

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,962 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 8,962 17,924 35,848
-1 -2 -4 -8,962 -17,924 35,848
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12484,4818,96217,92435,848
-1-2-4-8-4,481-8,962-17,924-35,848

More Examples

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