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Product of Factors
Perfect square as a product of two factors
In case of perfect square number we have odd number of factors i.e. the number of factors are odd hence in that case required number of ways in which we can write perfect square number as a product of its two factors are (n – 1)/2 if we do not include the square root of the number and
(n + 1 )/2 if we include the square root of the number. So number of ways to express a perfect square as product of two different factors (that means excluding its square root) is
½ {(p + 1)(q + I)(r + I) … – 1)}. And if we include the square root then required numbs 1/2 {(p+1)(q+1)(r+1) … +1}
Let’s take one example to understand this.
Example 2: In how many ways you can express 36 as the product of two of its factors?
Solution :
Step 1: Prime factorization of 36 i.e. we write 36 = 22 x 32
Step 2: Number of factors of 36 will be (2+1)(2+1)=9 (i.e. factors are 1,2,3,4,6,9,12,18,36)
Step 3: Since we are asked total number of ways hence we include square root of 36 i.e. 6 as well. Thus number of ways you can express 36 as the product of two of its factors is (9+1)/2=5

Product of two co-prime numbers
To express the number as a product of co-prime factors we will use the following steps:
Step 1:Write Prime factorisation of given number i.e. convert the number in the form where p1, p2,p3…..pn are prime numbers and a,b,c….. are natural numbers as their respective powers.
Step 2: In the above step we have n prime numbers then the number of ways to express the number as the product of two co prime numbers =2n-1
Because two primes are always co-prime and after we pick 1 prime the other prime can be picked in 2n-1ways.Hence number of ways in which we can write given number as a product of two co prime factors =2n-1
Example 1: In how many ways you can write 315 as product of two of its co-prime factors.
Solution:

Step 1: Prime factorization of 315 i.e. we write 315  = 32 x 51 x 71
Step2: In above step 3 prime numbers are used. Hence number of ways are 23-1 = 4.Infact we can mention these cases as well 9×35, 5 x 63, 7 x 45, 15 x 21.
Remember: The number of numbers, which are less than N= pa qb rc(where p, q, r are prime numbers and the a,b,c are natural numbers as their respective powers)and are co-prime to N is given by N{(1- 1/p)(1-1/q )(1-1/r)}.

Product of all the factors
To find product of all the factors we follow the following steps:
Step1: Prime factorisation N= apbqcr
Step2: Number of factors   (say X)
Step3: Product of all the factors is given by =  NX/2
Example 2: Find the product of all the factors of 120 ?
Solution:
Step 1: Prime factorisation : = 23X51X31
Step2: Number of factors are ( 3+1)(1+1)(1+1)= 16
Step 3: Product of all the factors =( 23X51X31)16/2 =(120)8

Assignment:
Questions:
1: In how many ways can you express 216 as a product of two of its factors?
a) 4
b) 6
c) 8
d) 9
Solution:
Step 1: 216 = 2333
Step 2: Number of factors are (3+1)(3+1) = 4 x 4= 16
Step 3:  So number of ways ½ (4)(4) = 8

2: Find the sum of factors of 216.
a. 950
b) 850
c) 600
d) 1000
Solution:
Step 1: 216 = 2333
Step 2: Sum of factors = (20+21+22+23)(30+31+32+33)= 15 x 40 = 600

3: Find the product of all the factors of 400
a. 805
b) 804
c) 807
d) 806
Solution:
Step 1: Prime factorisation of 400 = 24X52
Step2: Number of factors (4+1)(1+1)= 10
Step 3: Product of all the factors =( 24X51)10/2 =(80)5

4:In how many ways you can write 200 as product of two of its co-prime factors.

a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 8
Step1: 200 = 2352
Hence number of ways are 22-1 = 2.Infact we can mention these cases as well 8 x 25,
1 x 100.

5: In how many ways you can write 10890 as product of two of its co-prime factors.
a) 7
b) 3
c) 31
d) 15