Lesson: Squares of Integers

Comment on Squares of Integers

Hi Brent,

Could you please help solve this question using your methods?

If n is a positive integer and n^2 is divisible by 72, then the largest positive integer that must divide n is

A. 6
B. 12
C. 24
D. 36
E. 48
gmat-admin's picture

You bet!
You'll find my step-by-step solution here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-n-is-a-positive-integer-and-n-2-is-divisib...

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent,

Regarding this question: How many positive divisors of 12,500 are squares of integers (aka perfect squares)?

A) three
B) four
C) six
D) eight
E) twelve

Is my following deduction true, or was I simply lucky to obtain the right answer?

My thinking below:
We can find the Prime Factors of 12 500 which are 5^5 and 2^2.

The question asks to obtain the number of positive, perfect square divisors of 12, 500. To do so, we must apply the rule that "The Prime Factorization of a perfect square will have an even number of each prime".

Given this rule, we can see that the PFs of 12 ,500 = (5^5) (2^2). However, it is clear that 5^5 is ODD, which means that the number of positive, perfect square divisors of 12, 500 must be even. Therefore we can infer that the correct answer must be the next best EVEN pair of Prime Factors, that being: (5^4) (2^2).

This gives us a total of 6 numbers if we add the exponents.

Appreciate the help!
gmat-admin's picture

Unfortunately, it was only a coincidence that adding the exponents of (5^4)(2^2) yielded the correct answer.

Notice that, if we were to determine how many divisors of (5^4) are squares of integers, we'd conclude (using your approach) that there are 4 such divisors, while there are actually only 3.

Likewise, if we were to determine how many divisors of (2^2)(3^2)(5^2) are squares of integers, we'd conclude (using your approach) that there are only 6 such divisors, while there are actually 8.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent, need help with this question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-n-is-a-positive-integer-and-n-2-is-divisible-by-72-then-129929.html
gmat-admin's picture

I'm happy to help!

Here's my full solution: https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-n-is-a-positive-integer-and-n-2-is-divisib...

Cheers,
Brent

"A perfect square will have an odd number of positive divisors"

The converse must be true as well?
gmat-admin's picture

Great question! Yes, the converse is true.
That is: If a positive integer N has an odd number of positive divisors, then N is a perfect square.

gmat-admin's picture

Great question! Yes, the converse is true.
That is: If a positive integer N has an odd number of positive divisors, then N is a perfect square.

Hi Brent,

Is it also a true statement:

If all prime factors(when the same primes combined together 2x2=2^2) of a number X have even powers then the number is a perfect square?

Thank you in advance,
gmat-admin's picture

That's also true! Nice work!

Let's formalize your observation:

If, in the prime factorization of N, all exponents are even, then N is a perfect square.

Hi Brent, could you please give solution to this question:

The number 75 can be written as the sum of the squares of 3 different positive integers. What is the sum of these 3 integers?

A.17
B.16
C.15
D.14
E.13

Thanks!
gmat-admin's picture

The tricky thing about this question is that there isn't a nice algebraic solution.
It all comes down to finding 3 values (from the numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, and 64) that add to 75.

Here's my solution: https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-number-75-can-be-written-as-the-sum-of-t...

Cheers,
Brent

Is w greater than 1 ?

(1) w + 2 > 0
(2) w² > 1

Shouldnt the answer be C?
If we combine both statements the value of w will be greater than 2.
gmat-admin's picture

Statement 1 tells us that w > -2
Statement 2 tells us that EITHER w < -1 OR w > 1
When we combine the statements, it COULD be the case that:
case i: w = -1.5, in which case x is NOT greater than 1
case ii: w = 8, in which case x IS greater than 1

Answer: E

Does that help?

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent,

Could you help me with this problem:

For every positive even integer n, the function h(n) is defined to be the product of all the even integers from 2 to n, inclusive. If p is the smallest prime factor of h(100) + 1, then p is

A)between 2 and 10
B)between 10 and 20
C)between 20 and 30
D)between 30 and 40
E)greater than 40
gmat-admin's picture

Hey Brent,

so there exists absolutely NO number that has an odd nr. of divisors and i NOT a perfect square? Means: If a nr. has an odd nr. of divisors it has to be a perfect square, no way around it?

Cheers,

Philipp
gmat-admin's picture

That's correct.
If integer N has an odd number of positive divisors, then N is a perfect square.
If integer N has an even number of positive divisors, then N is not a perfect square.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-the-integer-n-has-exactly-three-positive-divisors-includ-145985.html


Could you help me in this regard?

Thanks
gmat-admin's picture

Hey Brent,

How were you able to quickly deduce the need to start at 30. I knew immediately some where squares but not all.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/what-is-the-largest-3-digit-number-to-have-an-odd-number-of-factors-214645.html
gmat-admin's picture

Solution link: https://gmatclub.com/forum/what-is-the-largest-3-digit-number-to-have-an...

We're looking for the biggest 3-digit number that's also the square of an integer.
I recognized that 30² is one of the bigger 3-digit numbers. So, I started there.

Office Hours

On December 20, 2023, Brent will stop offering office hours. 

Change Playback Speed

You have the option of watching the videos at various speeds (25% faster, 50% faster, etc). To change the playback speed, click the settings icon on the right side of the video status bar.

Have a question about this video?

Post your question in the Comment section below, and a GMAT expert will answer it as fast as humanly possible.

Free “Question of the Day” emails!