Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 542,154?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5421542 x 2710773 x 1807186 x 90359
Negative: -1 x -542154-2 x -271077-3 x -180718-6 x -90359


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 542,154?

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 542,154, 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.

1 542,154
-1 -542,154

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 542,154.

Example:
1 x 542,154 = 542,154
and
-1 x -542,154 = 542,154
Notice both answers equal 542,154

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 542,154 and divide it by 2:

542,154 ÷ 2 = 271,077

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 271,077 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 2 271,077 542,154
-1 -2 -271,077 -542,154

Now, we try dividing 542,154 by 3:

542,154 ÷ 3 = 180,718

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 180,718 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 3 180,718 271,077 542,154
-1 -2 -3 -180,718 -271,077 -542,154

Let's try dividing by 4:

542,154 ÷ 4 = 135,538.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 135,538.5 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 3 180,718 271,077 542,154
-1 -2 -3 -180,718 -271,077 542,154
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123690,359180,718271,077542,154
-1-2-3-6-90,359-180,718-271,077-542,154

More Examples

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