2013 AMC 12B Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2013 AMC 12B below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2013 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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9.

What is the sum of the exponents of the prime factors of the square root of the largest perfect square that divides 12!12!?

55

77

88

1010

1212

Answer: C
Concepts:prime factorizationfactorialperfect square
Difficulty rating: 1510
Solution:

Since 12!=2103552711,12! = 2^{10}\cdot 3^5\cdot 5^2\cdot 7\cdot 11, the largest perfect square dividing it is 2103452,2^{10}\cdot 3^4\cdot 5^2, whose square root is 25325.2^5\cdot 3^2\cdot 5. The exponents sum to 5+2+1=8.5 + 2 + 1 = 8. Thus, the correct answer is C.

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