Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 86,081?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 8608159 x 1459
Negative: -1 x -86081-59 x -1459


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 86,081?

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 86,081, 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 86,081
-1 -86,081

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 86,081.

Example:
1 x 86,081 = 86,081
and
-1 x -86,081 = 86,081
Notice both answers equal 86,081

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 86,081 and divide it by 2:

86,081 ÷ 2 = 43,040.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 43,040.5 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 86,081
-1 -86,081

Now, we try dividing 86,081 by 3:

86,081 ÷ 3 = 28,693.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 28,693.6667 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 86,081
-1 -86,081

Let's try dividing by 4:

86,081 ÷ 4 = 21,520.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 21,520.25 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 86,081
-1 86,081
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1591,45986,081
-1-59-1,459-86,081

More Examples

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