A:
Positive:
1 x 421397155 x 842794361 x 690815305 x 138163
Negative:
-1 x -42139715-5 x -8427943-61 x -690815-305 x -138163
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 42,139,715, 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 | 42,139,715 | |
| -1 | -42,139,715 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 42,139,715.
Example:
1 x 42,139,715 = 42,139,715
and
-1 x -42,139,715 = 42,139,715
Notice both answers equal 42,139,715
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 42,139,715 and divide it by 2:
42,139,715 ÷ 2 = 21,069,857.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,069,857.5 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 | 42,139,715 | |
| -1 | -42,139,715 |
Now, we try dividing 42,139,715 by 3:
42,139,715 ÷ 3 = 14,046,571.6667
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,046,571.6667 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 | 42,139,715 | |
| -1 | -42,139,715 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
42,139,715 ÷ 4 = 10,534,928.75
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,534,928.75 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 | 42,139,715 | |
| -1 | 42,139,715 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 5 | 61 | 305 | 138,163 | 690,815 | 8,427,943 | 42,139,715 |
| -1 | -5 | -61 | -305 | -138,163 | -690,815 | -8,427,943 | -42,139,715 |
Here are some more numbers to try:
Try the factor calculator