Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 16:52 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 16:52
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: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,785
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,785
Kudos: 810,870
 [112]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
108
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,441
Own Kudos:
79,396
 [34]
Given Kudos: 484
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,441
Kudos: 79,396
 [34]
17
Kudos
Add Kudos
17
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,976
Own Kudos:
16,908
 [23]
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,976
Kudos: 16,908
 [23]
14
Kudos
Add Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
avatar
PareshGmat
Joined: 27 Dec 2012
Last visit: 10 Jul 2016
Posts: 1,531
Own Kudos:
8,271
 [18]
Given Kudos: 193
Status:The Best Or Nothing
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Technology
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 1,531
Kudos: 8,271
 [18]
12
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

Let say p = 10, checking divisibility by 80

\(\frac{10 * 10 * 10}{80} = \frac{25}{2}\)

Numerator falling short of 2

So, lets say p = 20, again checking divisibility by 80

\(\frac{20*20*20}{80} = 100\)

20 is the least value of p for which \(p^3\) can be completely divided by 80

There are 6 distinct factors of 20 >> 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

Answer = C

One more way:

\(20 = 2^2 * 5^1\)

Distinct factors = (2+1)*(1+1) = 3*2 = 6
User avatar
TheKingInTheNorth
Joined: 13 Mar 2013
Last visit: 03 May 2019
Posts: 132
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 25
Location: United States
Concentration: Leadership, Technology
GPA: 3.5
WE:Engineering (Telecommunications)
Posts: 132
Kudos: 326
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If p3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 10

Please someone explain this question with solution .Thanks
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 11,229
Own Kudos:
45,002
 [5]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,229
Kudos: 45,002
 [5]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
abhisheknandy08
If p3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 10

Please someone explain this question with solution .Thanks

hi,
the method to find distinct factors is..
step 1.. break down the integer in its basic form with prime numbers.. 80=2^4*5...
step 2.. formula is\(a^x*b^y... (x+1)(y+1)\)... so here the answer will be (4+1)(1+1)=5*2=10
ans E..
hope it helped

but it seems you mean p3 as \(p^3\)...
so p^3 will have atleast\(2^4*5\)as its factor,
and therefore, p will have atleast \(2^2*5\) as factors..
ans 3*2=6 ans C
avatar
nishi999
Joined: 06 Mar 2015
Last visit: 16 Sep 2016
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 176
Posts: 17
Kudos: 16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasPrepKarishma
ggarr
If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

2
3
6
8
10

Prime factorize \(80 = 2^4 * 5\)
If \(p^3\) has at least four 2s and a 5, it must have at least six 2s and three 5s (Every prime factor of \(p^3\) must have a power which is a multiple of 3).
So p must have at least two 2s and a 5 as factors.

Minimum value of \(p = 2^2 * 5\)
This gives us \((2+1)*(1+1) = 6\) distinct factors (at least)

I fail to understand what you mean by "every prime factor of p must have a power which is a multiple of 3".
My guess is that as there are 3 p's, they must all have the same factors with powers and hence 2^4 and 5, have been considered as 2^6 and 5^3. so it can be evenly divided between 3 p's and their total of 8000 is divisible by P. Could you shared some light on the same.
User avatar
Abhishek009
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Last visit: 17 Dec 2025
Posts: 5,903
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 463
Status:QA & VA Forum Moderator
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Business Development (Commercial Banking)
Posts: 5,903
Kudos: 5,452
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

80 = \(2^4\) x \(5^1\)

Since p^3 is divisible by \(2^4\) x \(5^1\) the least value of p will be \(2^6\) x \(5^3\) ; where \(p\) = \(5^1\) x \(2^2\)

So, p must have (1+1) ( 2 + 1 ) => 6 factors, answer will be (C)
User avatar
adiagr
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Last visit: 05 Oct 2019
Posts: 202
Own Kudos:
1,155
 [5]
Given Kudos: 9
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
Posts: 202
Kudos: 1,155
 [5]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

\(p^3\) = 80m, where m is any integer.

Now here key point is that 80m is a perfect cube. [ We know this because it is given that p is a positive integer]

Now the question says "at least".

let us see how 80m can be a perfect cube.

80m = 8 * 2 *5 *m = \(2^3\) * 2 * 5 * m

So we need to multiply "2" by \(2^2\), so that we get \(2^3\)
We also need to multiply "5" by \(5^2\), so that we get \(5^3\)

so m is \(2^2\) * \(5^2\)

With above value of m, p becomes (at least) 2*2*5 = \(2^2\) * 5

Distinct factors (Power of First term +1) (Power of Second term +1) [ You need to know this formula]

(2+1)(1+1) = 6

C is the answer.
User avatar
anairamitch1804
Joined: 26 Oct 2016
Last visit: 20 Apr 2019
Posts: 502
Own Kudos:
3,605
 [7]
Given Kudos: 877
Location: United States
Concentration: Marketing, International Business
Schools: HBS '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
GPA: 4
WE:Education (Education)
Schools: HBS '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
Posts: 502
Kudos: 3,605
 [7]
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Let's start by breaking 80 down into its prime factorization: 80 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 5. If p^3 is divisible by 80, p^3 must have 2, 2, 2, 2, and 5 in its prime factorization. Since p^3 is actually p × p × p, we can conclude that the prime factorization of p × p × p must include 2, 2, 2, 2, and 5.

Let's assign the prime factors to our p's. Since we have a 5 on our list of prime factors, we can give the 5 to one of our p's:

p: 5
p:
p:

Since we have four 2's on our list, we can give each p a 2:

p: 5 × 2
p: 2
p: 2

But notice that we still have one 2 leftover. This 2 must be assigned to one of the p's:

p: 5 × 2 × 2
p: 2
p: 2

We must keep in mind that each p is equal in value to any other p. Therefore, all the p's must have exactly the same prime factorization (i.e. if one p has 5 as a prime factor, all p's must have 5 as a prime factor). We must add a 5 and a 2 to the 2nd and 3rd p's:

p: 5 × 2 × 2 = 20
p: 5 × 2 × 2 = 20
p: 5 × 2 × 2 = 20

We conclude that p must be at least 20 for p^3 to be divisible by 80. So, let's count how many factors 20, or p, has:

1 × 20
2 × 10
4 × 5

20 has 6 factors. If p must be at least 20, p has at least 6 distinct factors.

The correct answer is C.
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,441
Own Kudos:
79,396
 [1]
Given Kudos: 484
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,441
Kudos: 79,396
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasPrepKarishma
ggarr
If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

2
3
6
8
10

Prime factorize \(80 = 2^4 * 5\)
If \(p^3\) has at least four 2s and a 5, it must have at least six 2s and three 5s (Every prime factor of \(p^3\) must have a power which is a multiple of 3).
So p must have at least two 2s and a 5 as factors.

Minimum value of \(p = 2^2 * 5\)
This gives us \((2+1)*(1+1) = 6\) distinct factors (at least)

Quote:

Can you explain the line in the bracket
(Every prime factor of p^3 must have a power which is a multiple of 3)

Take any positive integer N.

Say \(N = 6 = 2*3\)

\(N^3 = 6^3 = (2^3 * 3^3)\)

Say \(N = 18 = 2 * 3^2\)

\(N^3 = 18^3 = (2^3 * 3^6)\)

Similarly, since p is a positive integer, it will be made up of some prime factors. When you cube it, every prime factor of p^3 will have a power of 3 or a multiple of 3.
User avatar
BillyZ
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 14 Nov 2016
Last visit: 24 Jan 2026
Posts: 1,135
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 926
Location: Malaysia
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V40 (Online)
GPA: 3.53
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If \(p^3\) is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

OFFICIAL SOLUTION



The prime factorization of 80 is (2)(2)(2)(2)(5) = 2^4*5^1. Thus, \(p^3 = 2^4*5^1*x\), where x is some integer.

Assigning the factors of p 3 to the prime boxes of p will help us see what the factors of p could be.

The prime factors in ( ) above are factors not explicitly given for \(p^3\), but which must exist. We know that \(p^3\) is the cube of an integer, and must have “triples” of the prime factors of p. Since \(p^3\) has a factor of \(2^3\), p must have a factor of 2. The fact that \(p^3\) has an “extra” 2 and a 5 among its factors indicates that p has additional factors of 2 and 5.

If p is a multiple of (2)(2)(5) = 20, then at the very least p has 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 20 as factors. So we can conclude that p has at least 6 distinct factors.

Alternatively, we can use this shortcut for computing the number of factors:
(2’s exponent + 1)(5’s exponent + 1) = (2 + 1)(1 + 1) = (3)(2) = 6.

The correct answer is C.
Attachments

Untitled.jpg
Untitled.jpg [ 6.9 KiB | Viewed 27596 times ]

User avatar
JeffTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 04 Mar 2011
Last visit: 05 Jan 2024
Posts: 2,974
Own Kudos:
8,710
 [4]
Given Kudos: 1,646
Status:Head GMAT Instructor
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,974
Kudos: 8,710
 [4]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:


If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

Since p^3/80 = integer, we can say that the product of 80 and some integer n is equal to a perfect cube. In other words, 80n = p^3.

We must remember that all perfect cubes break down to unique prime factors, each of which has an exponent that is a multiple of 3. So let’s break down 80 into primes to help determine what extra prime factors we need to make 80n a perfect cube.

80 = 10 x 8 = 5 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 5^1 x 2^4

In order to make 80n a perfect cube, we need two more 2s, and two more 5s. Thus, the smallest perfect cube that is a multiple of 80 is 2^6 x 5^3.

To determine the least possible value of p, we can take the cube root of 2^6 x 5^3 and we have:

2^2 x 5^1

To determine the total number of factors, we add 1 to each exponent attached to each base and multiply those values together.

(2 + 1)(1 + 1) = 3 x 2 = 6 total factors.

Answer: C
avatar
Mco100
Joined: 20 Jun 2017
Last visit: 15 May 2021
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 26
GMAT 1: 580 Q36 V32
GMAT 2: 660 Q39 V41
GRE 1: Q159 V160
GMAT 2: 660 Q39 V41
GRE 1: Q159 V160
Posts: 25
Kudos: 7
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasPrepKarishma
ggarr
If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

2
3
6
8
10


(Every prime factor of \(p^3\) must have a power which is a multiple of 3).
So p must have at least two 2s and a 5 as factors.

SO why isn't it 2^12?
User avatar
sahilvijay
Joined: 29 Jun 2017
Last visit: 16 Apr 2021
Posts: 289
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 76
GPA: 4
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
Posts: 289
Kudos: 931
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

SOLUTION
p^3 divisible by 80

p^3 => factorising 80and writing in below format x=2 and y = 5 makes cube and then p= 2x2x5=20
2-2-2
2-x-x
5-y-y

20= 2^2 . 5^1
total factors = (2+1) ( 1+1) = 3x2= 6

Option C
User avatar
hellosanthosh2k2
Joined: 02 Apr 2014
Last visit: 07 Dec 2020
Posts: 360
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,227
Location: India
Schools: XLRI"20
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
GPA: 3.5
Schools: XLRI"20
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
Posts: 360
Kudos: 619
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Given \(P^3\) divisible by 80
=> \(P^3\) = \(2^4 * 5 * m\) (where m is any integer)
=> to make P as integer, min value of m = \(2^2 * 5^2\)
=> min value of \(P^3\) = \(2^4 * 5 * 2^2 * 5^2\)
=> min value of P = \(2^2 * 5\)
mininum number of factors of P = (2+1)(1+1) = 6 => (C)
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 22,283
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,283
Kudos: 26,531
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Factors.



If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

Since p^3/80 is an integer, p^3must have unique prime factors in quantities that are multiples of 3.

Since 80 = 2^4 x 5^1, then p^3 must be at least 2^6 x 5^3, so p must be at least 2^2 x 5^1.

Thus, p has at least (2 + 1)(1 + 1) = 3 x 2 = 6 distinct factors.

Answer: C
User avatar
nivivacious
Joined: 10 Mar 2015
Last visit: 18 Aug 2024
Posts: 238
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 175
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
GPA: 3.5
WE:Advertising (Advertising and PR)
Posts: 238
Kudos: 313
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If p^3 is divisible by 80, then the positive integer p must have at least how many distinct factors?

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 10

To understand this, we need to figure factors of 80
80 = 2^4 * 5
therefore p^3 is an integer divisible by 80 (since given that p is a positive integer)
p^3 = 2^4 * 5 * x
x needs to be 2^2 and 5^2 since its cube root
therefore p^3 = 2^6 * 5^3
p = 2^2 * 5^1
The factor exponents: (2+1) x (1+1)
3x2 = 6
Hence C
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,964
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,964
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109785 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts