On the multiplicative structure of odd perfect numbers

Starting with Euler's theorem that any odd perfect number n has the form n = p^ep_i^2e_i … p_k^2e_k, where p, p₁,…,p_k are distinct odd primes and p ≡ e ≡ 1 (mod 4), we show that extensive subsets of these numbers (so described) can be eliminated from consideration. A typical result says: if p^e, p_i^2e_i,…,p_r^2e_r are all of the prime-power divisors of such an n with p ≡ p_i ≡ 1 (mod 4), then the ordered set {e₁,…,e_r} contains an even number or odd number of odd numbers according as e ≡ pore ≡ p (mod 8).