Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 542,580?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5425802 x 2712903 x 1808604 x 1356455 x 1085166 x 9043010 x 5425812 x 4521515 x 3617220 x 2712930 x 1808660 x 9043
Negative: -1 x -542580-2 x -271290-3 x -180860-4 x -135645-5 x -108516-6 x -90430-10 x -54258-12 x -45215-15 x -36172-20 x -27129-30 x -18086-60 x -9043


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 542,580?

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 542,580, 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.

1 542,580
-1 -542,580

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 542,580.

Example:
1 x 542,580 = 542,580
and
-1 x -542,580 = 542,580
Notice both answers equal 542,580

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 542,580 and divide it by 2:

542,580 ÷ 2 = 271,290

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 271,290 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 2 271,290 542,580
-1 -2 -271,290 -542,580

Now, we try dividing 542,580 by 3:

542,580 ÷ 3 = 180,860

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 180,860 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 3 180,860 271,290 542,580
-1 -2 -3 -180,860 -271,290 -542,580

Let's try dividing by 4:

542,580 ÷ 4 = 135,645

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 135,645 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 4 135,645 180,860 271,290 542,580
-1 -2 -3 -4 -135,645 -180,860 -271,290 542,580
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1234561012152030609,04318,08627,12936,17245,21554,25890,430108,516135,645180,860271,290542,580
-1-2-3-4-5-6-10-12-15-20-30-60-9,043-18,086-27,129-36,172-45,215-54,258-90,430-108,516-135,645-180,860-271,290-542,580

More Examples

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