1221 and Level 1

This puzzle is like a multiplication table with its factors in a different order. Can you figure out where the factors from 1 to 10 go in both the first column and the top row? Afterward, can you correctly fill in every cell of this mixed-up multiplication table?

Print the puzzles or type the solution in this excel file: 10-factors-1221-1231

Let me share some facts about the number 1221:

  • 1221 is a composite number.
  • Prime factorization: 1221 = 3 × 11 × 37
  • The exponents in the prime factorization are 1, 1, and 1. Adding one to each and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. Therefore 1221 has exactly 8 factors.
  • Factors of 1221: 1, 3, 11, 33, 37, 111, 407, 1221
  • Factor pairs: 1221 = 1 × 1221, 3 × 407, 11 × 111, or 33 × 37
  • 1221 has no square factors that allow its square root to be simplified. √1221 ≈ 34.94281

1 × 11 × 111 = 1221

1221 is the sum of five consecutive prime numbers:
233 + 239 + 241 + 251 + 257 = 1221

1221 is the hypotenuse of a Pythagorean triple:
396-1155-1221 which is 33 times (12-35-37)

Not only is 1221 a palindrome in base 10 but look at it in these other bases:
It’s 14341 in BASE 5,
5353 in BASE 6,
272 in BASE 23, and
it’s XX in BASE 36 because 33(36) + 33(1) = 33(37) = 1221

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