Browse · MATH
Printjmc
number theory senior
Problem
How many distinct prime factors does the sum of the positive divisors of have?
Solution
First, we find what the sum of the divisors of is.
The prime factorization of is . Therefore, the sum of the divisors is . To see why the expression on the left-hand side gives the sum of the divisors of 400, note that if you distribute (without simplifying), you get 15 terms, each divisor of appearing exactly once.
Since is a prime number, the sum of the positive divisors of only has prime factor.
The prime factorization of is . Therefore, the sum of the divisors is . To see why the expression on the left-hand side gives the sum of the divisors of 400, note that if you distribute (without simplifying), you get 15 terms, each divisor of appearing exactly once.
Since is a prime number, the sum of the positive divisors of only has prime factor.
Final answer
1