Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 540?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5402 x 2703 x 1804 x 1355 x 1086 x 909 x 6010 x 5412 x 4515 x 3618 x 3020 x 27
Negative: -1 x -540-2 x -270-3 x -180-4 x -135-5 x -108-6 x -90-9 x -60-10 x -54-12 x -45-15 x -36-18 x -30-20 x -27


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 540?

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 540, 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.

1 540
-1 -540

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 540.

Example:
1 x 540 = 540
and
-1 x -540 = 540
Notice both answers equal 540

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 540 and divide it by 2:

540 ÷ 2 = 270

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 270 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 2 270 540
-1 -2 -270 -540

Now, we try dividing 540 by 3:

540 ÷ 3 = 180

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 180 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 3 180 270 540
-1 -2 -3 -180 -270 -540

Let's try dividing by 4:

540 ÷ 4 = 135

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 135 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 4 135 180 270 540
-1 -2 -3 -4 -135 -180 -270 540
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1234569101215182027303645546090108135180270540
-1-2-3-4-5-6-9-10-12-15-18-20-27-30-36-45-54-60-90-108-135-180-270-540

More Examples

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