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smc

number theory senior

Problem

If is a positive integer such that has positive divisors and has positive divisors, then how many positive divisors does have?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
Working with the second part of the problem first, we know that has divisors. We try to find the various possible prime factorizations of by splitting into various products of or integers. The variables are different prime factors, and one of them must be . We now try to count the factors of , to see which prime factorization is correct and has factors. In the first case, is the only possibility. This gives , which has factors, which is way too many. In the second case, gives . If , then there are factors, while if , there are factors. In the second case, gives . If , then there are factors, while if , there are factors. In the third case, gives . If , then there are factors, while if , there are factors. In the third case, gives . If , then there are factors, while if , there are factors. In the fourth case, gives . If , then there are factors. This is the factorization we want. Thus, , which has factors, and , which has factors. In this case, , which has factors, and the answer is
Final answer
C