Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 56,464?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 564642 x 282324 x 141168 x 705816 x 3529
Negative: -1 x -56464-2 x -28232-4 x -14116-8 x -7058-16 x -3529


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 56,464?

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 56,464, 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 56,464
-1 -56,464

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 56,464.

Example:
1 x 56,464 = 56,464
and
-1 x -56,464 = 56,464
Notice both answers equal 56,464

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 56,464 and divide it by 2:

56,464 ÷ 2 = 28,232

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 28,232 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 28,232 56,464
-1 -2 -28,232 -56,464

Now, we try dividing 56,464 by 3:

56,464 ÷ 3 = 18,821.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 18,821.3333 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 28,232 56,464
-1 -2 -28,232 -56,464

Let's try dividing by 4:

56,464 ÷ 4 = 14,116

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 14,116 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 14,116 28,232 56,464
-1 -2 -4 -14,116 -28,232 56,464
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248163,5297,05814,11628,23256,464
-1-2-4-8-16-3,529-7,058-14,116-28,232-56,464

More Examples

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