Question

Leo multiplied two whole number factors together to equal a product of 17. Then his pen broke and spilled ink on his work. Which of these must be one of the factors Leo multiplied?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 17

Answer 1

The number 1 must be one of the factors Leo multiplied together to get a product of d. 17, as 17 is a prime number with only itself and 1 as its factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked which number must be one of the factors when multiplied together to get a product of 17. The possible answers included 1, 2, 3, and 17. Recognizing that 17 is a prime number, which means it can only be divided by itself and 1 to result in an integer, the correct answer is either 1 or 17. Since all numbers can be multiplied by 1 to get the original number, it is safe to say that 1 must be one of the factors Leo multiplied to get a product of 17.