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If n is the smallest integer such that 432 times n is the square of an
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28 Jun 2021, 07:02
28 Jun 2021, 07:02
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If n is the smallest integer such that 432 times n is the square of an integer, what is the value of n?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 12
(E) 24
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 12
(E) 24
Re: If n is the smallest integer such that 432 times n is the square of an
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28 Jun 2021, 07:40
28 Jun 2021, 07:40
1
Solution:
Factorizing 432= 2*2*2*2*3*3*3
To find a square root a number has to appear even number of times. i.e we have 2- 4 times and 3- 3 times.
Thus, multiplying 3 will give us a number which has perfect square.
4*9=36
IMO B
Hope this helps!
Factorizing 432= 2*2*2*2*3*3*3
To find a square root a number has to appear even number of times. i.e we have 2- 4 times and 3- 3 times.
Thus, multiplying 3 will give us a number which has perfect square.
4*9=36
IMO B
Hope this helps!
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Posts: 6218
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Re: If n is the smallest integer such that 432 times n is the square of an
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28 Jun 2021, 07:53
28 Jun 2021, 07:53
1
Carcass wrote:
If n is the smallest integer such that 432 times n is the square of an integer, what is the value of n?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 12
(E) 24
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 12
(E) 24
IMPORTANT CONCEPT: The prime factorization of a perfect square (the square of an integer) will have an even number of each prime
For example: 400 is a perfect square.
400 = 2x2x2x2x5x5. Here, we have four 2's and two 5's
This should make sense, because the even numbers allow us to split the primes into two EQUAL groups to demonstrate that the number is a square.
For example: 400 = 2x2x2x2x5x5 = (2x2x5)(2x2x5) = (2x2x5)²
Likewise, 576 is a perfect square.
576 = 2X2X2X2X2X2X3X3 = (2X2X2X3)(2X2X2X3) = (2X2X2X3)²
------NOW ONTO THE QUESTION!!------------------------
Give: 432n is a perfect square
Let's find the prime factorization of 432
We get: 432 = (2)(2)(2)(2)(3)(3)(3)
So, the prime factorization of 432 has four 2's and three 3's
We already have an EVEN number of 2's. So, if we add one more 3 to the prime factorization, we'll have an EVEN number of 3's
So, if n = 3, then 432n = (2)(2)(2)(2)(3)(3)(3)(3)
Since 432n has an EVEN number of each prime, 432n must be a perfect square.
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent
