A:
Positive:
1 x 2314482855 x 4628965717 x 1361460571 x 325983585 x 2722921355 x 6519671207 x 1917556035 x 38351
Negative:
-1 x -231448285-5 x -46289657-17 x -13614605-71 x -3259835-85 x -2722921-355 x -651967-1207 x -191755-6035 x -38351
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 231,448,285, 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 | 231,448,285 | |
| -1 | -231,448,285 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 231,448,285.
Example:
1 x 231,448,285 = 231,448,285
and
-1 x -231,448,285 = 231,448,285
Notice both answers equal 231,448,285
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,448,285 and divide it by 2:
231,448,285 ÷ 2 = 115,724,142.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,724,142.5 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 | 231,448,285 | |
| -1 | -231,448,285 |
Now, we try dividing 231,448,285 by 3:
231,448,285 ÷ 3 = 77,149,428.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,149,428.3333 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 | 231,448,285 | |
| -1 | -231,448,285 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
231,448,285 ÷ 4 = 57,862,071.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,862,071.25 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 | 231,448,285 | |
| -1 | 231,448,285 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 5 | 17 | 71 | 85 | 355 | 1,207 | 6,035 | 38,351 | 191,755 | 651,967 | 2,722,921 | 3,259,835 | 13,614,605 | 46,289,657 | 231,448,285 |
| -1 | -5 | -17 | -71 | -85 | -355 | -1,207 | -6,035 | -38,351 | -191,755 | -651,967 | -2,722,921 | -3,259,835 | -13,614,605 | -46,289,657 | -231,448,285 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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