153 is a composite number and so much more!

Factor pairs: 153 = 1 x 153, 3 x 51, or 9 x 17.

Factors of 153: 1, 3, 9, 17, 51, 153.

Prime factorization: 153 = 3 x 3 x 17, which can be written (3^2) x 17.

I first learned that 153 = 1³ + 5³ + 3³ when I read mystery-numbers-370-153. This “St. Peter’s fish” number is so specific that it baffles scholars and students of the Bible.

Is the fact that 153 = 3•51 just as mysterious?

 

Excel file of puzzles and previous week’s factor solutions: 12 Factors 2014-06-16