Last visit was: 20 Apr 2026, 22:40 It is currently 20 Apr 2026, 22:40
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,715
Own Kudos:
810,309
 [7]
Given Kudos: 105,795
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,715
Kudos: 810,309
 [7]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,715
Own Kudos:
810,309
 [2]
Given Kudos: 105,795
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,715
Kudos: 810,309
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Gemmie
Joined: 19 Dec 2021
Last visit: 17 Apr 2026
Posts: 484
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 76
Location: Viet Nam
Concentration: Technology, Economics
GMAT Focus 1: 695 Q87 V84 DI83
GPA: 3.55
GMAT Focus 1: 695 Q87 V84 DI83
Posts: 484
Kudos: 487
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Ajaykumar2054
Joined: 16 Oct 2024
Last visit: 24 Dec 2025
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 5
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
doesnt a prime number have 2 factor? 1 and itself?
please explain this concept of prime and distinct prime factor. im confused since long time

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \(8n^2\) has twelve positive factors, how many distinct prime factors does the positive integer \(n\) have?

A. None
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. Cannot be determined from the given information­


For \(8n^2 = 2^3n^2\) to have twelve factors, \(n\) must be a prime other than 2: \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (prime)^2\). In this case, the number of factors can be calculated as \((3+1)(2+1) = 12\).

Another possibility is when \(n = 2^4\): \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (2^4)^2 = 2^{11}\). In this case, the number of factors is also \(11+1 = 12\).

In both cases (\(n = prime\) other than 2 or \(n = 2^4\)), \(n\) has one prime factor.


Answer: B
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,715
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,795
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,715
Kudos: 810,309
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Ajaykumar2054
doesnt a prime number have 2 factor? 1 and itself?
please explain this concept of prime and distinct prime factor. im confused since long time

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \(8n^2\) has twelve positive factors, how many distinct prime factors does the positive integer \(n\) have?

A. None
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. Cannot be determined from the given information­


For \(8n^2 = 2^3n^2\) to have twelve factors, \(n\) must be a prime other than 2: \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (prime)^2\). In this case, the number of factors can be calculated as \((3+1)(2+1) = 12\).

Another possibility is when \(n = 2^4\): \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (2^4)^2 = 2^{11}\). In this case, the number of factors is also \(11+1 = 12\).

In both cases (\(n = prime\) other than 2 or \(n = 2^4\)), \(n\) has one prime factor.


Answer: B

Yes, a prime number has only two positive factors: 1 and itself. As for prime factors and distinct prime factors, they are the same thing.


2. Properties of Integers



For other subjects:
ALL YOU NEED FOR QUANT ! ! !
Ultimate GMAT Quantitative Megathread­

Hope this helps.­
User avatar
arnavghatage
Joined: 18 Mar 2024
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Posts: 9
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Please can you give a list of similar questions to practise?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,715
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,795
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,715
Kudos: 810,309
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
arnavghatage
Bunuel

Please can you give a list of similar questions to practise?

Check PS number properties questions: PS Questions
User avatar
phmahi1997
Joined: 09 Oct 2019
Last visit: 14 Nov 2025
Posts: 107
Own Kudos:
23
 [1]
Given Kudos: 42
Location: Bangladesh
Concentration: Technology, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 515 Q79 V75 DI73
GPA: 2.61
GMAT Focus 1: 515 Q79 V75 DI73
Posts: 107
Kudos: 23
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Top Notch! I didn't realize it asks about distinct prime factors of n here! As n itself is a prime number, the factor would be 1 and the prime number itself. 1 isn't a prime number, so Only 1 prime factor available for n (a prime number as well)
Bunuel
If \(8n^2\) has twelve positive factors, how many distinct prime factors does the positive integer \(n\) have?

A. None
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. Cannot be determined from the given information­
User avatar
siddhantvarma
Joined: 12 May 2024
Last visit: 12 Jan 2026
Posts: 534
Own Kudos:
809
 [1]
Given Kudos: 197
GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q87 V85 DI76
GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q87 V85 DI76
Posts: 534
Kudos: 809
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel, can you elaborate on how you figured out that n must be a prime number if 8n^2 has 12 factors?
I did it this way:

Let n = \(x^a\)\(y^b\)\(z^c\)
8\(n^2\) = (x^2a)(y^2b)(z^2c)
4*(2a+1)*(2b+1)*(2c+1) = 12 => (2a+1)*(2b+1)*(2c+1) = 3 => a = 1, b = c = 0

So n = x
But after this, I didn't know what else to do so marked the answer as (E).

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \(8n^2\) has twelve positive factors, how many distinct prime factors does the positive integer \(n\) have?

A. None
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. Cannot be determined from the given information­


For \(8n^2 = 2^3n^2\) to have twelve factors, \(n\) must be a prime other than 2: \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (prime)^2\). In this case, the number of factors can be calculated as \((3+1)(2+1) = 12\).

Another possibility is when \(n = 2^4\): \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (2^4)^2 = 2^{11}\). In this case, the number of factors is also \(11+1 = 12\).

In both cases (\(n = prime\) other than 2 or \(n = 2^4\)), \(n\) has one prime factor.


Answer: B
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,715
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,795
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,715
Kudos: 810,309
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
siddhantvarma
Bunuel, can you elaborate on how you figured out that n must be a prime number if 8n^2 has 12 factors?
I did it this way:

Let n = \(x^a\)\(y^b\)\(z^c\)
8\(n^2\) = (x^2a)(y^2b)(z^2c)
4*(2a+1)*(2b+1)*(2c+1) = 12 => (2a+1)*(2b+1)*(2c+1) = 3 => a = 1, b = c = 0

So n = x
But after this, I didn't know what else to do so marked the answer as (E).

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \(8n^2\) has twelve positive factors, how many distinct prime factors does the positive integer \(n\) have?

A. None
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. Cannot be determined from the given information­


For \(8n^2 = 2^3n^2\) to have twelve factors, \(n\) must be a prime other than 2: \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (prime)^2\). In this case, the number of factors can be calculated as \((3+1)(2+1) = 12\).

Another possibility is when \(n = 2^4\): \(8n^2 = 2^3 * (2^4)^2 = 2^{11}\). In this case, the number of factors is also \(11+1 = 12\).

In both cases (\(n = prime\) other than 2 or \(n = 2^4\)), \(n\) has one prime factor.


Answer: B

Please let me know which step is unclear there. Thank you!

Check alternative solutions here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-8n-2-has- ... 30014.html
Moderators:
Math Expert
109715 posts
Founder
43142 posts