For every positive integer let denote the number of its positive factors. Determine all that satisfy the equality .
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
If satisfies the condition , then . Put , . If is even then is a factor of . Even if all the positive numbers smaller than are factors of and the numbers are also factors of , we have . Hence . Checking the numbers and we find that and satisfy the desired condition.
In the case when is odd we can proceed similarly, obtaining , or, alternatively, we can use the fact that a number having an odd number of positive factors is a perfect square. If , then has at most factors, hence . We obtain that and the conclusion.
In conclusion, the problem admits three solutions: , and .
Solution 2
Since , it follows that has a prime factorization of the form and the number of its positive factors is . The condition leads to . Since , in order for to satisfy the equation from the statement, it is necessary that , hence or .
If in the prime factorization of there is a prime , then and the equality can not take place. If then and the equality reduces to . We find (for we have ), hence .
Similarly, if then and from we obtain , i.e. .