A:
Positive:
1 x 2311022217 x 3301460361 x 3788561373 x 619577427 x 5412231451 x 1592712611 x 8851110157 x 22753
Negative:
-1 x -231102221-7 x -33014603-61 x -3788561-373 x -619577-427 x -541223-1451 x -159271-2611 x -88511-10157 x -22753
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 231,102,221, 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 | 231,102,221 | |
| -1 | -231,102,221 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 231,102,221.
Example:
1 x 231,102,221 = 231,102,221
and
-1 x -231,102,221 = 231,102,221
Notice both answers equal 231,102,221
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,102,221 and divide it by 2:
231,102,221 ÷ 2 = 115,551,110.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,551,110.5 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 | 231,102,221 | |
| -1 | -231,102,221 |
Now, we try dividing 231,102,221 by 3:
231,102,221 ÷ 3 = 77,034,073.6667
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,034,073.6667 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 | 231,102,221 | |
| -1 | -231,102,221 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
231,102,221 ÷ 4 = 57,775,555.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,775,555.25 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 | 231,102,221 | |
| -1 | 231,102,221 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 7 | 61 | 373 | 427 | 1,451 | 2,611 | 10,157 | 22,753 | 88,511 | 159,271 | 541,223 | 619,577 | 3,788,561 | 33,014,603 | 231,102,221 |
| -1 | -7 | -61 | -373 | -427 | -1,451 | -2,611 | -10,157 | -22,753 | -88,511 | -159,271 | -541,223 | -619,577 | -3,788,561 | -33,014,603 | -231,102,221 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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