Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,636?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 36362 x 18183 x 12124 x 9096 x 6069 x 40412 x 30318 x 20236 x 101
Negative: -1 x -3636-2 x -1818-3 x -1212-4 x -909-6 x -606-9 x -404-12 x -303-18 x -202-36 x -101


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,636?

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 3,636, 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 3,636
-1 -3,636

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 3,636.

Example:
1 x 3,636 = 3,636
and
-1 x -3,636 = 3,636
Notice both answers equal 3,636

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,636 and divide it by 2:

3,636 ÷ 2 = 1,818

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,818 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 1,818 3,636
-1 -2 -1,818 -3,636

Now, we try dividing 3,636 by 3:

3,636 ÷ 3 = 1,212

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,212 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 1,212 1,818 3,636
-1 -2 -3 -1,212 -1,818 -3,636

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,636 ÷ 4 = 909

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 909 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 4 909 1,212 1,818 3,636
-1 -2 -3 -4 -909 -1,212 -1,818 3,636
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1234691218361012023034046069091,2121,8183,636
-1-2-3-4-6-9-12-18-36-101-202-303-404-606-909-1,212-1,818-3,636

More Examples

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