1656
1656 is the year Huygens built the first pendulum clock.
- Even
- Composite
Where 1656 fits
Why 1656 is special
It cut timekeeping error from about fifteen minutes a day to under a minute. Accurate time is a precondition for most quantitative science that followed.
Factors & digit properties
- Divisors (24)
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 23, 24, 36, 46, 69, 72, 92, 138, 184, 207, 276, 414, 552, 828, 1656
- Prime factorisation
- 2^3 × 3^2 × 23
- Digit sum
- 18
- Digital root
- 9
Representations
- Decimal
- 1656
- Binary
- 11001111000
- Octal
- 3170
- Hexadecimal
- 678
- Roman numeral
- MDCLVI
- Scientific notation
- 1.656 × 10^3
Other mathematical patterns
- Abundant number
- Harshad (Niven) number
Related numbers & connections
Early portable timepieces from around 1510 lost hours a day and were worn as jewellery. Accuracy arrived with the pendulum clock in 1656.
View 1510 →Technology & computing
The pendulum clock of 1656 improved timekeeping accuracy by more than an order of magnitude at a stroke. Experimental science requiring measured intervals became practical from that point.
DocumentedTechnology & computingGeography: NetherlandsPeriod: 1656
Common questions
Is 1656 a prime number?
No, 1656 is not prime.
What are the factors of 1656?
The factors of 1656 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 23, 24, 36, 46, 69, 72, 92, 138, 184, 207, 276, 414, 552, 828, 1656.
What is 1656 in Roman numerals?
1656 in Roman numerals is MDCLVI.
About this page's data
Mathematical facts:computed directly from the number's value — nothing to source or verify externally.
Contextual records: 1 reviewer-confirmed record, sourced and reviewed before publication.
Last reviewed: 3 August 2026