Divisibility Rules: A Comprehensive Guide

In the realm of mathematics, understanding divisibility rules is crucial for simplifying calculations and gaining insights into the properties of numbers. These rules provide quick and efficient methods for determining whether a number is divisible by another without resorting to long division.

Divisibility Rules for Common Numbers

Let’s explore some of the most widely used divisibility rules:

Divisible by	Rule	Example
2	A number is divisible by 2 if its last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8).	124 is divisible by 2 because its last digit (4) is even.
3	A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.	123 is divisible by 3 because 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, and 6 is divisible by 3.
4	A number is divisible by 4 if the last two digits are divisible by 4.	2408 is divisible by 4 because 08 is divisible by 4.
5	A number is divisible by 5 if its last digit is 0 or 5.	350 is divisible by 5 because its last digit is 0.
6	A number is divisible by 6 if it is divisible by both 2 and 3.	126 is divisible by 6 because it is divisible by both 2 and 3.
8	A number is divisible by 8 if the last three digits are divisible by 8.	1448 is divisible by 8 because 448 is divisible by 8.
9	A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.	729 is divisible by 9 because 7 + 2 + 9 = 18, and 18 is divisible by 9.
10	A number is divisible by 10 if its last digit is 0.	450 is divisible by 10 because its last digit is 0.
11	A number is divisible by 11 if the difference between the sum of the digits at odd places and the sum of the digits at even places is either 0 or divisible by 11.	1331 is divisible by 11 because (1 + 3) – (3 + 1) = 0.
12	A number is divisible by 12 if it is divisible by both 3 and 4.	360 is divisible by 12 because it is divisible by both 3 and 4.
13	A number is divisible by 13 if the difference between four times the units digit and the remaining part of the number is either 0 or divisible by 13.	169 is divisible by 13 because (4 * 9) – 16 = 20, and 20 is divisible by 13.

Applications of Divisibility Rules

Divisibility rules are not only helpful for simplifying calculations but also for identifying prime numbers.

A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that has only two divisors: 1 and itself. For instance, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are prime numbers.

By applying divisibility rules, we can quickly determine whether a number is prime or composite (a number that has more than two divisors).

For example, consider the number 12. It is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. Therefore, it is a composite number.

On the other hand, the number 7 is only divisible by 1 and 7. Hence, it is a prime number.

Conclusion

Divisibility rules are invaluable tools for understanding the properties of numbers. They simplify calculations, help identify prime numbers, and provide a foundation for exploring more advanced mathematical concepts. By mastering these rules, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the fascinating world of mathematics.