CAT 2023 Slot 2 — QA Question 6
Prime and Composite NumbersEasy
The number of positive integers less than 50, having exactly two distinct factors other than 1 and itself, is
Answer & solution
Answer: 15
Solution
Easy
"Exactly two distinct factors other than and itself" means exactly total factors. A number has exactly factors only when it is (two distinct primes) or (cube of a prime). Count both families below .
Number of factors of is . We need this to equal , so the exponent pattern is either → , or → .
1
Case A — product of two distinct primes :
(Stop at ; .) Total .
2
Case B — prime cubes :
Total .
3
Add the cases: