Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 560?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5602 x 2804 x 1405 x 1127 x 808 x 7010 x 5614 x 4016 x 3520 x 28
Negative: -1 x -560-2 x -280-4 x -140-5 x -112-7 x -80-8 x -70-10 x -56-14 x -40-16 x -35-20 x -28


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 560?

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 560, 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.

1 560
-1 -560

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 560.

Example:
1 x 560 = 560
and
-1 x -560 = 560
Notice both answers equal 560

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 560 and divide it by 2:

560 ÷ 2 = 280

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 280 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 2 280 560
-1 -2 -280 -560

Now, we try dividing 560 by 3:

560 ÷ 3 = 186.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 186.6667 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 2 280 560
-1 -2 -280 -560

Let's try dividing by 4:

560 ÷ 4 = 140

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 140 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 4 140 280 560
-1 -2 -4 -140 -280 560
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12457810141620283540567080112140280560
-1-2-4-5-7-8-10-14-16-20-28-35-40-56-70-80-112-140-280-560

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

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