A:
Positive:
1 x 23103156131 x 745263143 x 5372827263 x 878447659 x 3505791333 x 1733178153 x 2833711309 x 20429
Negative:
-1 x -231031561-31 x -7452631-43 x -5372827-263 x -878447-659 x -350579-1333 x -173317-8153 x -28337-11309 x -20429
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 231,031,561, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.
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 | 231,031,561 | |
| -1 | -231,031,561 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 231,031,561.
Example:
1 x 231,031,561 = 231,031,561
and
-1 x -231,031,561 = 231,031,561
Notice both answers equal 231,031,561
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,031,561 and divide it by 2:
231,031,561 ÷ 2 = 115,515,780.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,515,780.5 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 | 231,031,561 | |
| -1 | -231,031,561 |
Now, we try dividing 231,031,561 by 3:
231,031,561 ÷ 3 = 77,010,520.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,010,520.3333 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 | 231,031,561 | |
| -1 | -231,031,561 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
231,031,561 ÷ 4 = 57,757,890.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,757,890.25 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 | 231,031,561 | |
| -1 | 231,031,561 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 31 | 43 | 263 | 659 | 1,333 | 8,153 | 11,309 | 20,429 | 28,337 | 173,317 | 350,579 | 878,447 | 5,372,827 | 7,452,631 | 231,031,561 |
| -1 | -31 | -43 | -263 | -659 | -1,333 | -8,153 | -11,309 | -20,429 | -28,337 | -173,317 | -350,579 | -878,447 | -5,372,827 | -7,452,631 | -231,031,561 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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