Medium
How many factors does the number 36 have?
Explanation
Explanation
Step 1: Write 36 as a product of primes: 36 = 2² × 3².
Step 2: If N = p^a × q^b, the number of factors = (a + 1)(b + 1).
Step 3: Here a = 2 and b = 2, so factors = (2 + 1)(2 + 1) = 9.
Step 4: Verify by listing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36 – exactly 9 factors.
Answer: 9.
PRO TIP
Re-check your working by substituting the answer back into the original question.