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jmc

number theory senior

Problem

A very large number is equal to . What is the smallest positive integer that, when multiplied with , produces a product that is a perfect square?
Solution
For the product to be a perfect square, all the exponents need to be even. So we don't need to worry about factors that already have even exponents. We also don't need to worry about because is already a perfect square. The remaining factors are .

To get even exponents in the product, we need at least one more , at least one more , and at least one more . That would bring us up to , and everything would be good. And indeed, .
Final answer
105