Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 612?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6122 x 3063 x 2044 x 1536 x 1029 x 6812 x 5117 x 3618 x 34
Negative: -1 x -612-2 x -306-3 x -204-4 x -153-6 x -102-9 x -68-12 x -51-17 x -36-18 x -34


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 612?

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 612, 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.

1 612
-1 -612

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 612.

Example:
1 x 612 = 612
and
-1 x -612 = 612
Notice both answers equal 612

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 612 and divide it by 2:

612 ÷ 2 = 306

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 306 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 2 306 612
-1 -2 -306 -612

Now, we try dividing 612 by 3:

612 ÷ 3 = 204

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 204 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 3 204 306 612
-1 -2 -3 -204 -306 -612

Let's try dividing by 4:

612 ÷ 4 = 153

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 153 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 4 153 204 306 612
-1 -2 -3 -4 -153 -204 -306 612
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12346912171834365168102153204306612
-1-2-3-4-6-9-12-17-18-34-36-51-68-102-153-204-306-612

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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