A:
Positive:
1 x 2568712555 x 5137425171 x 3617905197 x 1303915355 x 723581985 x 2607833673 x 6993513987 x 18365
Negative:
-1 x -256871255-5 x -51374251-71 x -3617905-197 x -1303915-355 x -723581-985 x -260783-3673 x -69935-13987 x -18365
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 256,871,255, 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 | 256,871,255 | |
| -1 | -256,871,255 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 256,871,255.
Example:
1 x 256,871,255 = 256,871,255
and
-1 x -256,871,255 = 256,871,255
Notice both answers equal 256,871,255
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 256,871,255 and divide it by 2:
256,871,255 ÷ 2 = 128,435,627.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 128,435,627.5 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 | 256,871,255 | |
| -1 | -256,871,255 |
Now, we try dividing 256,871,255 by 3:
256,871,255 ÷ 3 = 85,623,751.6667
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 85,623,751.6667 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 | 256,871,255 | |
| -1 | -256,871,255 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
256,871,255 ÷ 4 = 64,217,813.75
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 64,217,813.75 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 | 256,871,255 | |
| -1 | 256,871,255 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 5 | 71 | 197 | 355 | 985 | 3,673 | 13,987 | 18,365 | 69,935 | 260,783 | 723,581 | 1,303,915 | 3,617,905 | 51,374,251 | 256,871,255 |
| -1 | -5 | -71 | -197 | -355 | -985 | -3,673 | -13,987 | -18,365 | -69,935 | -260,783 | -723,581 | -1,303,915 | -3,617,905 | -51,374,251 | -256,871,255 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
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