ExpertsGlobal5
How many positive odd integers are factors of 120^2?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 9
D. 31
E. 32
Let’s first prime factorize the given number.
120 = 4*3*2*5 = (2^3 *3*5)
But, the number given is 120^2 = [(2^3 *3*5)]^2
= 2^6 * 3^2 * 5^2
The total number of factors = (6+1)*(2+1)*(2+1) = 7*3*3 = 63
we need to find the number of ODD factors. This can be done in two ways :
Method 1: 2^6 has 7 factors. They are. (2^0, 2^1, 2^2 , 2^3, 2^4 , 2^5, 2^6) . Remember 1 is a factor of all numbers.
Similarly 3^2 has 3 factors. They are (3^0, 3^1, 3^2).
and, 5^2 has also 3 factors. They are (5^0, 5^1, 5^2).
Total even factors = any number multiplied by 2 or the power of 2, will give us even number.
Amongst the 7 factors of 2,
EXCEPT 2^0, all other powers of 2 will yield a even number.
so, now we are left with 6 factors of 2.
2 ^ (greater than 0) when multiplied with 3^0 or 5^0 will yield a even number only.
Thus, number of even factors = 6*3*3 = 54 factors.
Odd factors = Total - number of even factors
= 63 - 54
=
9 factors
Option C Method 2:
Number of ODD factors
= removing all powers of 2 which will give us a even power * powers of 3 * powers of 5
if we remove all powers or 2 which will give us even number, we will be left with 2^0 alone.
= 1* 3 * 3
=
9 factors.
Option C