M30-15

Hi Bunuel,

I was able to solve this question, but my question is Why is 0 , an even number, not considered a even factor here? f(b) will at least be 1 in that case. Please advice.

Thanks,
Arun

0 is not a factor of any number.
0 is a multiple of every integer.

While I arrived at the same answer as the OA, I don't agree with the part of the explanation stated below.
"This means that a must be 2 (the only positive integer which has only 1 even factor is 2)."

We know that a has only one even factor, but we don't know how many odd factors it has. So A could easily have been, 2*5 or 2*7 or..
Can some one tell me how my reasoning is wrong?

Now the way I arrived at the answer is that LCM (a, b) has 2 and one or more odd numbers as its factors. Now all the answers apart from option D contained higher powers of 2 so D was the correct answer

No, you are not correct.

f(a)=1 means that a has 1 even factor.

2*5 = 10 --> 10 has 2 even factors 2 and 10.
2*7 = 14 --> 14 has 2 even factors 2 and 14.

Perfect, now I can see my mistake. Thanks.

One question: Since 'a' can have only one even factor (2) why cant it be something like a=6, 10, 14, 18 .. etc? All these numbers satisfy the condition.

6 has two even factors 2 and 6.
10 has two even factors 2 and 10.
14 has two even factors 2 and 14.
18 has two even factors 2 and 18.

Given:- f(b)*g(a)=0 and f(a)=1.

f(a)=1 means that there is an only even factor for 'a' and that even factor will be 2. Now, either f(b)=0 or g(a)=0 which means either b has 0 even factors or a has 0 odd factors.

So, when b has 0 even factors, least common multiple would be of odd factors. i.e. it would be odd. No such option given.

When a has 0 odd factors, least common multiple would be of at least 1 even factor because f(a)=1, That culminates into that least common multiple would be a factor of 2.

Now, say, lcm is a multiple of 4, then f(a) has to be 2, whereas f(a) is only 1. The result being that required lcm is a product of 2 and other odd factors. The only option that fits the criteria is 30=2*5*3. So, 30, Option D is our answer.

I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with explanation.

I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with the explanation.

Really great question Bunuel, really had to stretch my brain cells to come to D

I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.