Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 660?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 6602 x 3303 x 2204 x 1655 x 1326 x 11010 x 6611 x 6012 x 5515 x 4420 x 3322 x 30
Negative: -1 x -660-2 x -330-3 x -220-4 x -165-5 x -132-6 x -110-10 x -66-11 x -60-12 x -55-15 x -44-20 x -33-22 x -30


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 660?

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 660, 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.

1 660
-1 -660

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 660.

Example:
1 x 660 = 660
and
-1 x -660 = 660
Notice both answers equal 660

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 660 and divide it by 2:

660 ÷ 2 = 330

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 330 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 2 330 660
-1 -2 -330 -660

Now, we try dividing 660 by 3:

660 ÷ 3 = 220

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 220 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 3 220 330 660
-1 -2 -3 -220 -330 -660

Let's try dividing by 4:

660 ÷ 4 = 165

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 165 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 4 165 220 330 660
-1 -2 -3 -4 -165 -220 -330 660
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123456101112152022303344556066110132165220330660
-1-2-3-4-5-6-10-11-12-15-20-22-30-33-44-55-60-66-110-132-165-220-330-660

More Examples

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