A:
Positive:
1 x 721716317 x 1031023323 x 3137897113 x 638687161 x 448271791 x 912412599 x 277693967 x 18193
Negative:
-1 x -72171631-7 x -10310233-23 x -3137897-113 x -638687-161 x -448271-791 x -91241-2599 x -27769-3967 x -18193
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 72,171,631, 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 | 72,171,631 | |
| -1 | -72,171,631 |
When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 72,171,631.
Example:
1 x 72,171,631 = 72,171,631
and
-1 x -72,171,631 = 72,171,631
Notice both answers equal 72,171,631
With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 72,171,631 and divide it by 2:
72,171,631 ÷ 2 = 36,085,815.5
If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 36,085,815.5 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 | 72,171,631 | |
| -1 | -72,171,631 |
Now, we try dividing 72,171,631 by 3:
72,171,631 ÷ 3 = 24,057,210.3333
If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 24,057,210.3333 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 | 72,171,631 | |
| -1 | -72,171,631 |
Let's try dividing by 4:
72,171,631 ÷ 4 = 18,042,907.75
If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 18,042,907.75 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 | 72,171,631 | |
| -1 | 72,171,631 |
If you did it right, you will end up with this table:
| 1 | 7 | 23 | 113 | 161 | 791 | 2,599 | 3,967 | 18,193 | 27,769 | 91,241 | 448,271 | 638,687 | 3,137,897 | 10,310,233 | 72,171,631 |
| -1 | -7 | -23 | -113 | -161 | -791 | -2,599 | -3,967 | -18,193 | -27,769 | -91,241 | -448,271 | -638,687 | -3,137,897 | -10,310,233 | -72,171,631 |
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