Divisibility rule of 3 (Proof, Examples) | What is the Divisibility Rule of 3? (2024)

The divisibility rule of 3 helps to check whether the given number is divisible by three or not. For small numbers, we can easily conclude the divisibility by 3. In the case of larger numbers, it is not possible to check the divisibility just by looking at the numbers. Thus, we require a specific rule that can be employed for all the numbers to check for the divisibility by 3. In this article, you will learn the divisibility rule of 3, along with solved examples.

Learn: Divisibility rules

What is the Divisibility Rule of 3?

The divisibility rule of 3 states that if the sum of digits of a number is a multiple of 3, the number will be completely divisible by 3.

Divisibility rule of 3 (Proof, Examples) | What is the Divisibility Rule of 3? (1)

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Proof of Divisibility Rule of 3

We can prove the divisibility rule of 3 with the help of an example.

Consider the number 4368.

Let us expand this number as given below:

4368 = 4 × 1000 + 3 × 100 + 6 × 10 + 8 × 1

= 4 × (999 + 1) + 3 × (99 + 1) + 6 × (9 + 1) + 8 × 1

= (4 × 999 + 3 × 99 + 6 × 9) + (4 × 1 + 3 × 1 + 6 × 1 + 8 × 1)

= (4 × 999 + 3 × 99 + 6 × 9) + (4 + 3 + 6 + 8)

We know that 9, 99, 999,… are divisible by 3, and thus the multiples of these numbers are also divisible by 3.

So, the divisibility of 4368 is now dependent on the sum 4 + 3 + 6 + 8.

Here, 4, 3, 6 and 8 are the digits of the number 4368.

From the above, we can say that if the sum of these digits is divisible by 3 or a multiple of 3, the number 4368 is divisible by 3.

Hence, we can conclude that if the sum of digits of a number is divisible by 3 or a multiple of 3, the number is divisible by 3.

Read more:

  • Multiples
  • Division
  • Sum

Divisibility Rule of 3 and 9

The divisibility rules for 3 and 9 are quite similar. As defined above, if the sum of the digits of a number is a multiple of 3 or divisible by 3, then the number is divisible by 3. Similarly, if the sum of the digits of a number is a multiple of 9 or divisible by 9, then the number is divisible by 9.

Watch The Below Video to Learn More About Divisibility Rule of 3 and 9

Divisibility rule of 3 (Proof, Examples) | What is the Divisibility Rule of 3? (2)

Examples on Divisibility Rule of 3

Question 1:

Is 53472 divisible by 3?

Solution:

Given number: 53472

Let us add the digits of the given number.

5 + 3 + 4 + 7 + 2 = 21 (multiple of 3, since 3 × 7 = 21)

Therefore, 53472 is divisible by 3.

Question 2:

Check whether the number 6874 is divisible by 3.

Solution:

Given number: 6874

Let us add the digits of the given number.

6 + 8 + 7 + 4 = 25 (not a multiple of 3, since 3 × 8 = 24 but 25 = 3 × 8 + 1)

Therefore, 6874 is not divisible by 3.

Frequently Asked Questions on Divisibility Rule of 3

Q1

Write the divisibility rule of 3.

The divisibility rule of 3 states that when the sum of the digits of a number is a multiple of 3 or divisible by 3, the number is divisible by 3.

Q2

Explain the divisibility rule of 3 with an example.

Consider the number 728.
Let us find the sum of digits of this number.
7 + 2 + 8 = 17 (not a multiple of 3)
Here, the sum of digits is neither a multiple of 3 nor divisible by 3.
Hence, by the divisibility rule of 3, we can say that 728 is not divisible by 3.

Q3

How do you say whether the given number is divisible by 3?

By the divisibility rule of 3, we can conclude whether the given number is divisible by 3. So, if any number is divisible 3, then the sum of digits of such a number must be divisible by 3 or multiple of 3.

Q4

Is 81 divisible by 3?

Yes, 81 is divisible by 3. This can be justified by the divisibility rule of 3.
8 + 1 = 9 (multiple of 3)
So, the number 81 is divisible by 3.

Divisibility rule of 3 (Proof, Examples) | What is the Divisibility Rule of 3? (2024)

FAQs

Divisibility rule of 3 (Proof, Examples) | What is the Divisibility Rule of 3? ›

According to the divisibility rule of 3, a number is said to be divisible by 3 if the sum of all digits of that number is divisible by 3. For example, the number 495 is completely divisible by 3. The sum of all digits are 4 + 9 + 5 = 18 and 18 is divisible by 3.

What is the divisibility proof for 3? ›

A natural number is divisible with 3 if and only if the sum of its base10-digits is divisible with 3. di10i Recall that modulo 3 means remainder at division with 3. For example 100 mod 3 = 1, because 100=3*33+1. Also recall that modulo distributes over sum, product, and powers.

What is the divisibility rule for 3? ›

Divisibility rule for 3 states that a number is completely divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

How to do divisibility proof? ›

Divisibility Rules for some Selected Integers
  1. Divisibility by 1: Every number is divisible by 1 1 1.
  2. Divisibility by 2: The number should have 0 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 0, \ 2, \ 4, \ 6, 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 8 8 as the units digit.
  3. Divisibility by 3: The sum of digits of the number must be divisible by 3 3 3.

How do you prove a binary number is divisible by 3? ›

A binary number is divisible by 3 iff the sum of the odd bits is equal to the sum of the even bits. For eg., 8 is '1000'; sum of odd bits=0 & sum of even bits=, so not divisible; 12 is '1100'; sum of odd bits=1 & sum of even bits=1, so divisible.

Is 27 divisible by 3? ›

Explanation: Taking three numbers 27, 29, and 459 for illustration. Hence, 27 is divisible by 3. 2 is not divisible by 3.

What is an example of divisibility in direct proof? ›

If a and b are two natural numbers, we say that a divides b if there is another natural number k such that b = a k. For example, 2917 divides 522143 because there is a natural number k (namely k = 179) such that 522143 = 2917 k.

What is the easiest way to remember divisibility rules? ›

2 If the last digit is even, the number is divisible by 2. 3 If the sum of the digits is divisible by 3, the number is also. 4 If the last two digits form a number divisible by 4, the number is also. 5 If the last digit is a 5 or a 0, the number is divisible by 5.

What is the formula for divisibility rule? ›

Rules of Divisibility

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. A number is divisible by 4, if the number formed by the last two digits is divisible by 4. A number is exactly divisible by 5 if it has the digits 0 or 5 at one's place.

What is the logic for divisible by 3? ›

The divisibility rule of 3 states that if the sum of digits of a number is a multiple of 3, the number will be completely divisible by 3.

How do you prove something is not divisible by 3? ›

For N to be not divisible by 3, N can either be of the form 3k + 1 (1,4...) or 3k + 2 (2,5...), where k is an integer. The proof can then be done by checking both 3k + 1 and 3k + 2 when N is squared, to see if they can be rearranged into the form 3a + 1. This can then be rearranged to prove 3a + 1.

How do you write a code for divisible by 3? ›

So to check if a number is divisible by 3, you need to determine if dividing the number by three has a remainder of zero. var number = 21; if( number % 3 == 0) { //The number is divisible by three.

How do you prove a digit sum is divisible by 3? ›

Divisibility by 3 or 9

First, take any number (for this example it will be 492) and add together each digit in the number (4 + 9 + 2 = 15). Then take that sum (15) and determine if it is divisible by 3. The original number is divisible by 3 (or 9) if and only if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3 (or 9).

How do you check if a number is divisible by 3 in code? ›

So to check if a number is divisible by 3, you need to determine if dividing the number by three has a remainder of zero. var number = 21; if( number % 3 == 0) { //The number is divisible by three.

How to prove that if a number is divisible by 2 and 3 it is divisible by 6? ›

If a number is divisible by two co-prime numbers, it is also divisible by their product. The numbers 2 and 3 are co-prime numbers. Hence, if a number is divisible by 2 and 3, it should also be divisible by their product i.e, 6.

Is 501 divisible by 3? ›

The number 501 is divisible by 1, 3, 167, 501. For a number to be classified as a prime number, it should have exactly two factors. Since 501 has more than two factors, i.e. 1, 3, 167, 501, it is not a prime number.

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