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Printjmc
number theory senior
Problem
Recall that an integer is said to be a divisor of an integer if is also an integer. For how many integers between and inclusive is the product of the divisors of negative?
Solution
The product of the (positive and negative) divisors of an integer is negative if has an odd number of negative divisors. It follows that must have an odd number of positive divisors. However, for every positive divisor of , then is also a positive divisor of , so that the positive divisors of can be paired up. The exception is if is a perfect square, in which case will not be paired up with another divisor. There are perfect squares between and : .
Final answer
14