Exercise 927Number theory › Divisibility and gcdL1Added 3 Nov 2026
Perfect squares and divisors
#perfect squares#divisors#parity
Statement
Show that is a perfect square iff is odd.
Hint
Pair divisors with ; unpaired iff .
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Solution
Pairing. For each divisor of , is also a divisor. Fixed points: , i.e. .
Count. If is not a square, all divisors pair up, even. If , all divisors except pair up, odd.
Conclusion. is odd iff is a perfect square.