A:
Positive:
1 x 27866146113 x 2143549741 x 679662183 x 3357367533 x 5228171079 x 2582593403 x 818876299 x 44239
Negative:
-1 x -278661461-13 x -21435497-41 x -6796621-83 x -3357367-533 x -522817-1079 x -258259-3403 x -81887-6299 x -44239
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 278,661,461, 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 | 278,661,461 | |
| -1 | -278,661,461 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 278,661,461.
Example:
1 x 278,661,461 = 278,661,461
and
-1 x -278,661,461 = 278,661,461
Notice both answers equal 278,661,461
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 278,661,461 and divide it by 2:
278,661,461 ÷ 2 = 139,330,730.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 139,330,730.5 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 | 278,661,461 | |
| -1 | -278,661,461 |
Now, we try dividing 278,661,461 by 3:
278,661,461 ÷ 3 = 92,887,153.6667
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 92,887,153.6667 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 | 278,661,461 | |
| -1 | -278,661,461 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
278,661,461 ÷ 4 = 69,665,365.25
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 69,665,365.25 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 | 278,661,461 | |
| -1 | 278,661,461 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 13 | 41 | 83 | 533 | 1,079 | 3,403 | 6,299 | 44,239 | 81,887 | 258,259 | 522,817 | 3,357,367 | 6,796,621 | 21,435,497 | 278,661,461 |
| -1 | -13 | -41 | -83 | -533 | -1,079 | -3,403 | -6,299 | -44,239 | -81,887 | -258,259 | -522,817 | -3,357,367 | -6,796,621 | -21,435,497 | -278,661,461 |
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