Explanation:

- To find the number of positive factors of 36, we start with its prime factorization.

- 36 can be factored as 2² × 3².

- The formula to calculate the number of factors is to add 1 to each of the exponents in the prime factorization and then multiply the results.

- So, (2+1)(2+1) = 3 × 3 = 9.

- This means 36 has 9 positive factors.

- Option 1: 4 - This is incorrect.

- Option 2: 6 - This is incorrect.

- Option 3: 9 - This is correct. ??

- Option 4: 12 - This is incorrect.

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