Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Factors are the numbers that divide any given number evenly without 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 556, how they are used in real life, and tips to learn them quickly.
The numbers that divide 556 evenly are known as factors of 556.
A factor of 556 is a number that divides the number without remainder.
The factors of 556 are 1, 2, 4, 139, 278, and 556.
Negative factors of 556: -1, -2, -4, -139, -278, and -556.
Prime factors of 556: 2 and 139.
Prime factorization of 556: 2² × 139.
The sum of factors of 556: 1 + 2 + 4 + 139 + 278 + 556 = 980
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 are multiplied to give 556. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number 556 is the multiplication method.
Step 1: Multiply 556 by 1, 556 × 1 = 556.
Step 2: Check for other numbers that give 556 after multiplying
2 × 278 = 556
4 × 139 = 556
Therefore, the positive factor pairs of 556 are: (1, 556), (2, 278), and (4, 139). All these factor pairs result in 556. For every positive factor, there is a negative factor.
Dividing the given numbers with whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero and listing out the numbers which result as whole numbers as factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method -
Step 1: Divide 556 by 1, 556 ÷ 1 = 556.
Step 2: Continue dividing 556 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.
556 ÷ 1 = 556
556 ÷ 2 = 278
556 ÷ 4 = 139
Therefore, the factors of 556 are: 1, 2, 4, 139, 278, 556.
The factors can be found by dividing it with prime numbers. We can find the prime factors using the following methods:
Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of 556 divide the number to break it down in the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.
556 ÷ 2 = 278
278 ÷ 2 = 139
139 ÷ 139 = 1
The prime factors of 556 are 2 and 139.
The prime factorization of 556 is: 2² × 139.
The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following step shows -
Step 1: Firstly, 556 is divided by 2 to get 278. Step 2: Now divide 278 by 2 to get 139.
Here, 139 is a prime number and cannot be divided anymore.
So, the prime factorization of 556 is: 2² × 139.
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 556: (1, 556), (2, 278), (4, 139).
Negative factor pairs of 556: (-1, -556), (-2, -278), (-4, -139).
Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A company has 556 employees and needs to distribute 556 gift bags equally. How many gift bags does each employee get?
Each employee will get 1 gift bag.
To divide the gift bags equally, we need to divide the total gift bags by the number of employees.
556/556 = 1
A rectangular carpet covers an area of 556 square meters, and its length is 139 meters. What is the width of the carpet?
4 meters.
To find the width of the carpet, we use the formula,
Area = length × width
556 = 139 × width
To find the width, divide the area by the length.
556/139 = width
Width = 4.
A farmer has 278 apples and wants to pack them in 2 crates. How many apples will be in each crate?
Each crate will have 139 apples.
To find the apples in each crate, divide the total apples by the number of crates.
278/2 = 139
A library has 556 books and wants to arrange them in 4 shelves. How many books will go on each shelf?
Each shelf will have 139 books.
Divide the total books by the number of shelves.
556/4 = 139
A school has 556 students, and they need to be grouped equally into 2 buses. How many students will be in each bus?
Each bus will have 278 students.
Divide the total students by the number of buses.
556/2 = 278
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.