Daily Math Puzzle: 2026-07-04
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2026-07-04
Astronauts on a deep-space mission encounter an ancient alien beacon transmitting data about newly discovered star systems. Each system is assigned a unique 'Stellar Signature' based on its number of planets. They've deciphered a few examples: - System 'Andromeda Alpha' with 6 planets has a Stellar Signature of 4. - System 'Beta Centauri' with 10 planets has a Stellar Signature of 4. - System 'Gamma Draconis' with 12 planets has a Stellar Signature of 6. A new system, 'Delta Epsilon', has been found with 18 planets. Based on the alien pattern, what is its Stellar Signature?
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Solution
6 — The Stellar Signature is determined by the total number of positive divisors (factors) of the number of planets, including 1 and the number itself.
Let's apply this rule to the given examples:
- For 6 planets: The divisors are 1, 2, 3, and 6. There are 4 divisors. (Stellar Signature = 4)
- For 10 planets: The divisors are 1, 2, 5, and 10. There are 4 divisors. (Stellar Signature = 4)
- For 12 planets: The divisors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. There are 6 divisors. (Stellar Signature = 6)
Following this pattern for the new system 'Delta Epsilon' with 18 planets:
- The divisors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18. There are 6 divisors.
Therefore, the Stellar Signature for a system with 18 planets is 6.
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