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2000 AIME II Problems/Problem 4

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Problem

What is the smallest positive integer with six positive odd integer divisors and twelve positive even integer divisors?

Solution

We use the fact that the number of divisors of a number n = p_1^{e_1}p_2^{e_2} \cdots p_k^{e_k} is (e_1 + 1)(e_2 + 1) \cdots (e_k + 1). If a number has 18 = 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 factors, then it can have at most 3 distinct primes in its factorization.

Dividing the greatest power of 2 from n, we have an odd integer with six positive divisors, which indicates that it either is (6 = 2 \cdot 3) a prime raised to the 5th power, or two primes, one of which is squared. The smallest example of the former is 3^5 = 243, while the smallest example of the latter is 3^2 \cdot 5 = 45.

Suppose we now divide all of the odd factors from n; then we require a power of 2 with \frac{18}{6} = 3 factors, namely 2^{3-1} = 4. Thus, our answer is 2^2 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5 = \boxed{180}.

See also

2000 AIME II (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 3
Followed by
Problem 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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