A:
Positive:
1 x 23125752111 x 2102341159 x 3919619349 x 662629649 x 3563291021 x 2265013839 x 6023911231 x 20591
Negative:
-1 x -231257521-11 x -21023411-59 x -3919619-349 x -662629-649 x -356329-1021 x -226501-3839 x -60239-11231 x -20591
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 231,257,521, 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 | 231,257,521 | |
| -1 | -231,257,521 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 231,257,521.
Example:
1 x 231,257,521 = 231,257,521
and
-1 x -231,257,521 = 231,257,521
Notice both answers equal 231,257,521
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,257,521 and divide it by 2:
231,257,521 ÷ 2 = 115,628,760.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,628,760.5 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 | 231,257,521 | |
| -1 | -231,257,521 |
Now, we try dividing 231,257,521 by 3:
231,257,521 ÷ 3 = 77,085,840.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,085,840.3333 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 | 231,257,521 | |
| -1 | -231,257,521 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
231,257,521 ÷ 4 = 57,814,380.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,814,380.25 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 | 231,257,521 | |
| -1 | 231,257,521 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 11 | 59 | 349 | 649 | 1,021 | 3,839 | 11,231 | 20,591 | 60,239 | 226,501 | 356,329 | 662,629 | 3,919,619 | 21,023,411 | 231,257,521 |
| -1 | -11 | -59 | -349 | -649 | -1,021 | -3,839 | -11,231 | -20,591 | -60,239 | -226,501 | -356,329 | -662,629 | -3,919,619 | -21,023,411 | -231,257,521 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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