If Q, a positive integer, has 5 factors, which of the following must be true about Q?
I. Q is the square of a prime number.
II. Q is the fourth power of a prime number.
III. Q is the product of two prime numbers.
Correct answer: B
Explanation
If Q has 5 factors, we can represent Q = a^4, where a is positive integer more than 1.Let's assume that "a" is not a prime number. Let a = kp, where both k and p are positive integers.
Thus, Q = (kp)4=k4∗p4(kp)4=k4∗p4. Now the number of factors of Q = (4+1)*(4+1) = 25. But as the given condition states that Q has ONLY 5 factors, thus "a" can't have any other factor except 1 and itself. Thus, a = prime number.
Statement I :We can represent Q = (a^2)^2. Thus, we have to prove whether a^2 is a prime number. Take a=2. We can see that it is not a prime number. Thus, this option can't answer a "MUST be true question"
Statement II : Always true as proved above.
Statement III : Again take a =2. Thus, Q = 64. We don't have this as product of 2 primes.
The Answer is, B.
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AQuA-RAT items are crowdsourced algebra problems, not ACT questions. They carry five answer choices in the pre-2025 ACT Mathematics style and no ACT reporting category. Useful for drilling Preparing for Higher Math content; not a substitute for a real form.