A:
Positive:
1 x 2555142317 x 3650203347 x 5436473263 x 971537329 x 7766391841 x 1387912953 x 8652712361 x 20671
Negative:
-1 x -255514231-7 x -36502033-47 x -5436473-263 x -971537-329 x -776639-1841 x -138791-2953 x -86527-12361 x -20671
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 255,514,231, 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 | 255,514,231 | |
| -1 | -255,514,231 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 255,514,231.
Example:
1 x 255,514,231 = 255,514,231
and
-1 x -255,514,231 = 255,514,231
Notice both answers equal 255,514,231
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 255,514,231 and divide it by 2:
255,514,231 ÷ 2 = 127,757,115.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 127,757,115.5 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 | 255,514,231 | |
| -1 | -255,514,231 |
Now, we try dividing 255,514,231 by 3:
255,514,231 ÷ 3 = 85,171,410.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 85,171,410.3333 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 | 255,514,231 | |
| -1 | -255,514,231 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
255,514,231 ÷ 4 = 63,878,557.75
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 63,878,557.75 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 | 255,514,231 | |
| -1 | 255,514,231 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 7 | 47 | 263 | 329 | 1,841 | 2,953 | 12,361 | 20,671 | 86,527 | 138,791 | 776,639 | 971,537 | 5,436,473 | 36,502,033 | 255,514,231 |
| -1 | -7 | -47 | -263 | -329 | -1,841 | -2,953 | -12,361 | -20,671 | -86,527 | -138,791 | -776,639 | -971,537 | -5,436,473 | -36,502,033 | -255,514,231 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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