Find the smallest number by which 396 must be multiplied so that the p...
396 = 2 × 2× 3 × 3 × 11
To make a perfect square, 11 is multiplied to 396.
Find the smallest number by which 396 must be multiplied so that the p...
To find the smallest number by which 396 must be multiplied so that the product becomes a perfect square, we need to analyze the prime factorization of 396.
Prime factorization of 396:
396 = 2^2 * 3^2 * 11
A perfect square is a number whose prime factors appear in pairs. In other words, each prime factor must have an even exponent.
To make 396 a perfect square, we need to multiply it by the smallest number that will give every prime factor an even exponent.
Let's consider each prime factor and its current exponent:
1. Prime factor 2: The exponent is 2, which is already even.
2. Prime factor 3: The exponent is 2, which is already even.
3. Prime factor 11: The exponent is 1, which is odd.
Since the exponent of the prime factor 11 is odd, we need to multiply 396 by 11 to make it a perfect square.
Therefore, the smallest number by which 396 must be multiplied so that the product becomes a perfect square is 11.
Hence, the correct answer is option D) 11.