Number theoryDifficulty 5.2AIME, harderFind the answer
For any positive integer n, let τ(n) denote the number of positive divisors of n. If n is a positive integer such that τ(n)τ(n2)=3, compute τ(n)τ(n7).
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Let the prime factorization of n be n=p1e1p2e2⋯pkek. Then, the problem condition is equivalent to i=1∏kei+12ei+1=3 Note that since x+12x+1≥1.5 for x≥1, and 1.53>3, we have k≤2. Also, k=1 implies 2e1+1=3(e1+1), which implies e1 is negative. Thus, we must have k=2. Then, our equation becomes (2e1+1)(2e2+1)=3(e1+1)(e2+1) which simplifies to (e1−1)(e2−1)=3. This gives us e1=2 and e2=4. Thus, we have n=p2q4 for primes p and q, so τ(n)τ(n7)=τ(p2q4)τ(p14q28)=3⋅515⋅29=29.
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