A:
Positive:
1 x 2315786417 x 3308266317 x 1362227371 x 3261671119 x 1946039497 x 4659531207 x 1918638449 x 27409
Negative:
-1 x -231578641-7 x -33082663-17 x -13622273-71 x -3261671-119 x -1946039-497 x -465953-1207 x -191863-8449 x -27409
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 231,578,641, 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 | 231,578,641 | |
| -1 | -231,578,641 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 231,578,641.
Example:
1 x 231,578,641 = 231,578,641
and
-1 x -231,578,641 = 231,578,641
Notice both answers equal 231,578,641
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,578,641 and divide it by 2:
231,578,641 ÷ 2 = 115,789,320.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,789,320.5 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 | 231,578,641 | |
| -1 | -231,578,641 |
Now, we try dividing 231,578,641 by 3:
231,578,641 ÷ 3 = 77,192,880.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,192,880.3333 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 | 231,578,641 | |
| -1 | -231,578,641 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
231,578,641 ÷ 4 = 57,894,660.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,894,660.25 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 | 231,578,641 | |
| -1 | 231,578,641 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 7 | 17 | 71 | 119 | 497 | 1,207 | 8,449 | 27,409 | 191,863 | 465,953 | 1,946,039 | 3,261,671 | 13,622,273 | 33,082,663 | 231,578,641 |
| -1 | -7 | -17 | -71 | -119 | -497 | -1,207 | -8,449 | -27,409 | -191,863 | -465,953 | -1,946,039 | -3,261,671 | -13,622,273 | -33,082,663 | -231,578,641 |
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