Option A: 5
$4004 = 2^2 \times 7 \times 11 \times 13$
Sum of exponents = 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5
Source: The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, Chapter 1
Prime factorise 4004: 4004 ÷ 2 = 2002, ÷ 2 = 1001, ÷ 7 = 143, ÷ 11 = 13. So 4004 = 2² × 7¹ × 11¹ × 13¹. Add all exponents: 2+1+1+1 = 5. Students often forget to count repeated prime factors correctly — note that 2 appears twice, giving exponent 2, not 1.