Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 564?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5642 x 2823 x 1884 x 1416 x 9412 x 47
Negative: -1 x -564-2 x -282-3 x -188-4 x -141-6 x -94-12 x -47


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 564?

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 564, 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.

1 564
-1 -564

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 564.

Example:
1 x 564 = 564
and
-1 x -564 = 564
Notice both answers equal 564

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 564 and divide it by 2:

564 ÷ 2 = 282

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 282 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 2 282 564
-1 -2 -282 -564

Now, we try dividing 564 by 3:

564 ÷ 3 = 188

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 188 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 3 188 282 564
-1 -2 -3 -188 -282 -564

Let's try dividing by 4:

564 ÷ 4 = 141

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 141 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 4 141 188 282 564
-1 -2 -3 -4 -141 -188 -282 564
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346124794141188282564
-1-2-3-4-6-12-47-94-141-188-282-564

More Examples

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