Instead of actually carrying out a division, it is possible to test a number to see if it can be divided exactly by certain numbers.

 

If a number divides exactly into a number, it is divisible by this number.

 

24 is divisible by 2 because 24 ÷ 2 is a whole number.

24 is not divisible by 5 because 24 ÷ 5 is not a whole number.

Here are the rules to test divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

 

Rule for 2

A number is divisible by 2 if it ends in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.

This means that it is even.

 

Rule for 3

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

3045 is divisible by 3 because 3 + 0 + 4 + 5 = 12 which is divisible by 3.

3044 is therefore not divisible by 3 because 11 is not divisible by 3.

 

Rule for 4

A number is divisible by 4 if the number formed by its last two digits is divisible by 4.

3140 is divisible by 4 because 40 is divisible by 4.

3145 is not divisible by 4 because 45 is not divisible by 4.

 

Rule for 5

A number is divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5.

3045 is divisible by 5 because it ends in 5.

3030 is divisible by 5 because it ends in 0.

5551 is not divisible by 5.

 

Rule for 6

Both the rules for 2 and 3 must work.

 

Rule for 8

A number is divisible by 8 if the number formed by its last three digits is divisible by 8.

3240 is divisible by 8 because 240 is divisible by 8.

3145 is not divisible by 8 because 145 is not divisible by 8.

 

Rule for 9

This is similar to the rule for 3.

A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

7065 is divisible by 9 because 7 + 0 + 6 + 5 = 18 which is divisible by 9.

3045 is therefore not divisible by 9 because 12 is not divisible by 9.

 

Rule for 10

A number is divisible by 10 if it ends in 0.

3140 is divisible by 10 because it ends in 0.

3145 is not divisible by 10.

  

Example

Is 3813 divisible by 6?

 

Answer

No, because 3 + 8 + 1 + 3 = 15, which is divisible by 3, but it is not divisible by 2 as it ends in a 3 which is odd.

 

Example

Is 2,153,864 divisible by 4?

 

Answer

Yes, because 64 is divisible by 4.

 

Have you got all that?

 

 

Let's try some questions now!