selango wrote:1.If N is a perfect square, then the number of factors of N will ALWAYS be an ODD number.
2.If N is a NON-perfect square, then the number of factors of N will ALWAYS be an EVEN number.
Are the above 2 properties correct?
Yes, as a matter of fact, we can remember the following rule:
If a number N can be expressed as a product of powers of primes, i.e. N = (a^x) * (b^y)*(c^z)...., then the number of factors of N is given by (x+1) * (y+1) * (z+1)....
e.g since 210 = 2*5*3*7, the number of factors is (1+1)*(1+1)*(1+1)*(1+1) = 16. This formula is very easy to remember and derive.
Now since perfect squares will always have even numbers as powers of primes, the number of factors, as given by the formula, will always be odd because we are adding 1 to each even number. Conversely for numbers that are not perfect squares, the number of factors is always even.