Divisibility

Divisibility rules and tests

Learning Objectives
Discussion Starters
Differentiation Ideas
Presentation Mode

lessons (2)

Divisibility rules are shortcuts to determine if one number divides evenly into another without doing long division. These rules for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 speed up mental math and are foundational for understanding factors and multiples.

What Students Will Learn

  • Apply divisibility rules for 2, 3, 5, and 10
  • Apply divisibility rules for 4, 6, 8, and 9
  • Test divisibility without dividing
  • Use divisibility to simplify fractions
  • Solve problems using divisibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rule for divisibility by 3?

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

What is the rule for divisibility by 4?

A number is divisible by 4 if its LAST TWO DIGITS form a number divisible by 4.

Why do divisibility rules work?

They exploit patterns in our base-10 number system.