2012 AMC 8 Problem 18

Attempt Problem 18 of the 2012 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2012 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

18.

What is the smallest positive integer that is neither prime nor square and that has no prime factor less than 50?50?
3127 3127
3133 3133
3137 3137
3139 3139
3149 3149
Answer: A
Concepts:prime factorizationprime
Small hint:
The number must be composite but not a square.
Big hint:
Use the smallest two distinct primes that are at least 5050.
Video solution:
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Written solution:
The number is composite, not prime, and has no prime factor below 5050. The smallest possible prime factors are therefore 5353, 5959, 6161, and so on.
A square such as 53253^2 is not allowed, and 53353^3 is much larger than 53⋅5953\cdot59. The smallest allowed nonsquare composite is 53⋅59=312753\cdot59=3127.
Thus, the answer is A .
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