what numbers are divisible by 6

Guri Bee

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19-10-2024

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Divisibility Rules: Unmasking the Numbers Divisible by 6

Have you ever wondered how to quickly tell if a number is divisible by 6? It's easier than you might think! This handy trick, known as a divisibility rule, can save you time and mental calculations.

The Rule: A number is divisible by 6 if it is both divisible by 2 and 3.

Why does this work?

• Divisible by 2: A number is divisible by 2 if the last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8).
• Divisible by 3: A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

Let's see this in action!

Example 1: Is 72 divisible by 6?

1. Divisible by 2? Yes, because the last digit (2) is even.
2. Divisible by 3? Yes, because 7 + 2 = 9, and 9 is divisible by 3.
3. Therefore, 72 is divisible by 6.

Example 2: Is 48 divisible by 6?

1. Divisible by 2? Yes, because the last digit (8) is even.
2. Divisible by 3? Yes, because 4 + 8 = 12, and 12 is divisible by 3.
3. Therefore, 48 is divisible by 6.

Example 3: Is 15 divisible by 6?

1. Divisible by 2? No, because the last digit (5) is odd.
2. Divisible by 3? Yes, because 1 + 5 = 6, and 6 is divisible by 3.
3. Therefore, 15 is NOT divisible by 6.

Putting it into practice:

• Real-world example: You are baking a cake that requires 6 eggs, but you only have a dozen (12) eggs. Using the divisibility rule, you can quickly confirm that 12 is divisible by 6, meaning you have enough eggs!
• Mental math: When you need to divide a large number by 6, use the divisibility rule to quickly see if it's possible before attempting the calculation.

Understanding divisibility rules can streamline your calculations and make it easier to work with numbers. So, the next time you need to determine if a number is divisible by 6, remember this simple trick!

References:

• This content is inspired by various discussions and explanations on the divisibility rule for 6 found on GitHub.
• The divisibility rule for 6 is widely taught in elementary math education and can be found in many resources online.