Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 528?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5282 x 2643 x 1764 x 1326 x 888 x 6611 x 4812 x 4416 x 3322 x 24
Negative: -1 x -528-2 x -264-3 x -176-4 x -132-6 x -88-8 x -66-11 x -48-12 x -44-16 x -33-22 x -24


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 528?

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 528, 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.

1 528
-1 -528

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 528.

Example:
1 x 528 = 528
and
-1 x -528 = 528
Notice both answers equal 528

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 528 and divide it by 2:

528 ÷ 2 = 264

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 264 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 2 264 528
-1 -2 -264 -528

Now, we try dividing 528 by 3:

528 ÷ 3 = 176

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 176 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 3 176 264 528
-1 -2 -3 -176 -264 -528

Let's try dividing by 4:

528 ÷ 4 = 132

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 132 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 4 132 176 264 528
-1 -2 -3 -4 -132 -176 -264 528
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346811121622243344486688132176264528
-1-2-3-4-6-8-11-12-16-22-24-33-44-48-66-88-132-176-264-528

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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