Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Factors are the numbers that divide any given number evenly without a remainder. In daily life, we use factors for tasks like sharing items equally, arranging things, etc. In this topic, we will learn about the factors of -17, how they are used in real life, and tips to learn them quickly.
The numbers that divide -17 evenly are known as factors of -17.
A factor of -17 is a number that divides the number without a remainder.
The factors of -17 are 1, -1, 17, and -17.
Since -17 is a negative prime number, its only factors are ±1 and ±17.
The sum of factors of -17: 1 + (-1) + 17 + (-17) = 0
Factors can be found using different methods. Mentioned below are some commonly used methods:
To find factors using multiplication, we need to identify the pairs of numbers that multiply to give -17. Being a negative prime number, -17 has limited factor pairs.
Step 1: -17 × 1 = -17
Step 2: 1 × -17 = -17
Therefore, the factor pairs of -17 are: (1, -17) and (-1, 17).
Dividing the given number by whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero helps in listing out the factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method:
Step 1: Divide -17 by 1, -17 ÷ 1 = -17
Step 2: Divide -17 by -1, -17 ÷ -1 = 17
Therefore, the factors of -17 are: 1, -1, 17, -17.
Since -17 is a prime number, it cannot be broken down into smaller prime factors.
Thus, its prime factorization is simply expressed as -17.
For a negative prime number like -17, a factor tree is not applicable, as it does not break down into smaller prime numbers beyond its inherent factors.
Factor Pairs: Two numbers that are multiplied to give a specific number are called factor pairs. Both positive and negative factors constitute factor pairs.
Positive factor pairs of -17: (1, -17).
Negative factor pairs of -17: (-1, 17).
Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following tips.
A debt of -17 dollars is split between 17 people. How much does each person owe?
Each person owes 1 dollar.
To find the amount each person owes, divide the total debt by the number of people.
-17/17 = -1
A group owes -17 dollars, and each person agrees to pay -1 dollar. How many people are in the group?
17 people.
To find the number of people, divide the total debt by the payment per person.
-17/-1 = 17
If a person pays -1 dollar every day to clear a debt of -17 dollars, how many days will it take to clear the debt?
17 days.
To find the number of days, divide the total debt by the daily payment.
-17/-1 = 17
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.