Chapter 5: Number Play class 8th Mathematics (Ganita Prakash) NCERT Solution

Chapter 5 – Number Play | Complete Solutions
Ganita Prakash • Grade 8

Chapter 5

Number Play

Complete solutions with step-by-step explanations, algebraic proofs, and visual methods for all intext and exercise questions.

Ganita Prakash Textbook
NCERT Grade 8
40+ Solved Questions
5.1

Is This a Multiple Of?

Sum of Consecutive Numbers, Parity, Divisibility Rules & Remainders

Breaking Even – Identifying Even Expressions
Q
Without computing them, find out which of the following arithmetic expressions are even:
\(43 + 37\), \(672 – 348\), \(4 \times 347 \times 3\), \(708 – 477\), \(809 + 214\), \(119 \times 303\), \(543 – 479\), \(5133\)
Solution

We use the parity rules: odd ± odd = even, even ± even = even, odd ± even = odd, odd × odd = odd, even × any = even.

ExpressionParity CheckResult
\(43 + 37\)odd + oddEven
\(672 – 348\)even – evenEven
\(4 \times 347 \times 3\)even × anythingEven
\(708 – 477\)even – oddOdd
\(809 + 214\)odd + evenOdd
\(119 \times 303\)odd × oddOdd
\(543 – 479\)odd – oddEven
\(5133\)ends in odd digitOdd
Q
Identify which of the following algebraic expressions give an even number for any integer values of the variables:
\(2a + 2b\), \(3g + 5h\), \(4m + 2n\), \(2u – 4v\), \(13k – 5k\), \(6m – 3n\), \(x^2 + 2\), \(b^2 + 1\), \(4k \times 3j\)
Solution

Always Even: \(2a + 2b\), \(4m + 2n\), \(2u – 4v\), \(13k – 5k = 8k\), \(4k \times 3j = 12kj\)

All contain factor 2. Example: \(4m + 2n = 2(2m + n)\) which is clearly even.

Not Always Even: \(3g + 5h\) (odd+odd=even, but even+even=even too — actually sum of odd coeffs), \(x^2 + 2\) (even when x even: \(6^2+2=38\); odd when x odd: \(3^2+2=11\)), \(b^2 + 1\), \(6m – 3n\)

For \(x^2 + 2\):

When \(x = 6\): \(6^2 + 2 = 36 + 2 = 38\) (even) ✓

When \(x = 3\): \(3^2 + 2 = 9 + 2 = 11\) (odd) ✗

Pairs to Make Fours
Q
Take a pair of even numbers. Add them. Is the sum divisible by 4? When is the sum a multiple of 4, and when is it not? Is there a general rule?
Solution

Even numbers fall into two categories when divided by 4:

  • Type A: Multiples of 4: \(4, 8, 12, 16, …\) (form: \(4p\))
  • Type B: Not multiples of 4: \(2, 6, 10, 14, …\) (form: \(4p + 2\))
CaseNumbersSumDivisible by 4?
Type A + Type A\(4p + 4q\)\(4(p+q)\)Yes, always
Type B + Type B\((4p+2)+(4q+2)\)\(4(p+q+1)\)Yes, always
Type A + Type B\(4p+(4q+2)\)\(4(p+q)+2\)No (remainder 2)

Rule: The sum of two even numbers is divisible by 4 iff both even numbers have the same remainder when divided by 4 (both are \(0 \pmod 4\) or both are \(2 \pmod 4\)).

Always, Sometimes, or Never
1
If 8 exactly divides two numbers separately, it must exactly divide their sum.
Solution — Always True

Let the two numbers be \(8a\) and \(8b\) (both multiples of 8).

Then: \(8a + 8b = 8(a + b)\)

This is clearly a multiple of 8. Also true for subtraction: \(8a – 8b = 8(a-b)\)

Examples: \(8 + 16 = 24 = 8 \times 3\),   \(80 + 120 = 200 = 8 \times 25\)

General Rule: If \(a\) divides \(M\) and \(a\) divides \(N\), then \(a\) divides \(M + N\) and \(M – N\).

2
If a number is divisible by 8, then 8 also divides any two numbers (separately) that add up to the number.
Solution — Sometimes True

A number divisible by 8 can be written as: \(8m = 8a + 8b\) (sum of two multiples of 8) OR \(8m = p + q\) where neither \(p\) nor \(q\) is a multiple of 8.

Example (works): \(72 = 48 + 24 = 8 \times 6 + 8 \times 3\) ✓

Example (fails): \(72 = 50 + 22\) — neither 50 nor 22 is divisible by 8 ✗

3
If a number is divisible by 7, then all multiples of that number will be divisible by 7.
Solution — Always True

Let the number be \(7j\) (divisible by 7). Any multiple is \((7j) \times m = 7(jm) = 7 \times (\text{integer})\).

This has 7 as a factor, so it’s divisible by 7.

Examples: \(14 = 7 \times 2\), multiples: \(28 = 7 \times 4\), \(70 = 7 \times 10\), \(154 = 7 \times 22\) — all divisible by 7.

General Rule: If \(A\) is divisible by \(k\), then all multiples of \(A\) are divisible by \(k\).

4
If a number is divisible by 12, then the number is also divisible by all the factors of 12.
Solution — Always True

A number divisible by 12 can be written as \(12m\).

Since \(12 = 2 \times 6 = 3 \times 4 = 2 \times 2 \times 3\), we have:

\(12m = 2 \times 6 \times m = 3 \times 4 \times m = 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times m\)

Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. Each factor divides \(12m\).

Example: Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 — all divide 24.

General Rule: If \(A\) is divisible by \(k\), then \(A\) is divisible by all factors of \(k\).

5
If a number is divisible by 7, then it is also divisible by any multiple of 7.
Solution — Sometimes True

Let the number be \(7k\). For it to be divisible by \(7m\) (a multiple of 7), we need \(m\) to be a factor of \(k\).

\(7k \div 7m = \frac{k}{m}\) — this is an integer only when \(m\) divides \(k\).

Example (fails): \(42 = 7 \times 6\) is divisible by 7, but NOT by \(28 = 7 \times 4\).

Example (works): \(42\) IS divisible by \(14 = 7 \times 2\) since 2 divides 6.

6
If a number is divisible by both 9 and 4, it must be divisible by 36.
Solution — Always True

If a number is divisible by both 9 and 4, it must be divisible by \(\text{LCM}(9, 4) = 36\).

This is because 9 and 4 are co-prime (\(\gcd(9,4) = 1\)).

Number \(= 9a = 4b \Rightarrow\) it must be a multiple of both, so minimum is LCM = 36.

7
If a number is divisible by both 6 and 4, it must be divisible by 24.
Solution — Sometimes True

\(\text{LCM}(6, 4) = 12\), not 24. So the number must be divisible by 12, not necessarily 24.

Counter-example: 12 is divisible by both 6 and 4, but NOT by 24.

8
When you add an odd number to an even number we get a multiple of 6.
Solution — Never True

odd + even = odd. But all multiples of 6 are even.

An odd number can never equal an even number.

Algebraic proof: Let even \(= 2n\), odd \(= 2m + 1\)

\((2n) + (2m + 1) = 2(n + m) + 1 = \text{odd}\)

Suppose it equals \(6j\): \(2(n+m) = 6j – 1\)

LHS is even, RHS is odd. Contradiction!

What Remains?
Q
Find a number that has a remainder of 3 when divided by 5. Which algebraic expression(s) capture all such numbers from: \(3k + 5\), \(3k – 5\), \(3k\), \(5k + 3\), \(5k – 2\), \(5k – 3\)?
Solution

Numbers with remainder 3 when divided by 5 are: 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, …

These are 3 more than multiples of 5. Multiples of 5 are \(5k\), so numbers are \(5k + 3\).

Verify \(5k + 3\):

\(k = 0: 5(0) + 3 = 3\)   \(k = 1: 5(1) + 3 = 8\)   \(k = 2: 5(2) + 3 = 13\)   \(k = 3: 5(3) + 3 = 18\)   \(k = 4: 5(4) + 3 = 23\)

\(5k – 2\) also works for \(k \geq 1\):

\(k = 1: 5(1) – 2 = 3\)   \(k = 2: 5(2) – 2 = 8\)   \(k = 3: 5(3) – 2 = 13\)

So \(5k + 3\) and \(5k – 2\) (for \(k \geq 1\)) both capture all such numbers.

📝

In-Text Questions (Page 122)

Figure it Out — Complete Solutions with Step-by-Step Explanations

1
The sum of four consecutive numbers is 34. What are these numbers?
Solution

Step 1: Let the four consecutive numbers be \(n\), \(n + 1\), \(n + 2\), \(n + 3\).

Step 2: Their sum: \(n + (n+1) + (n+2) + (n+3) = 4n + 6\)

Step 3: Set equal to 34:

\(4n + 6 = 34\)
\(4n = 34 – 6 = 28\)
\(n = 7\)

Step 4: The four numbers are: 7, 8, 9, 10

Verification: \(7 + 8 + 9 + 10 = 34\) ✓

2
Suppose \(p\) is the greatest of five consecutive numbers. Describe the other four numbers in terms of \(p\).
Solution

Since \(p\) is the greatest, the five consecutive numbers counting backward are:

\((p – 4)\), \((p – 3)\), \((p – 2)\), \((p – 1)\), \(p\)

Example: If \(p = 10\), the numbers are: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

3
For each statement below, determine whether it is always true, sometimes true, or never true. Explain your answer with examples and non-examples. Justify using algebra.
Solution
(i) The sum of two even numbers is a multiple of 3.

Sometimes True

Examples (true): \(2 + 4 = 6 = 3 \times 2\),   \(4 + 8 = 12 = 3 \times 4\)

Non-examples (false): \(2 + 6 = 8\) (not multiple of 3),   \(6 + 8 = 14\) (not multiple of 3)

(ii) If a number is not divisible by 18, then it is also not divisible by 9.

Sometimes True

Example (both not divisible): 30 is not divisible by 18 and not by 9.

Counter-example: 27 is not divisible by 18, but IS divisible by 9 (\(27 = 9 \times 3\)).

(iii) If two numbers are not divisible by 6, then their sum is not divisible by 6.

Sometimes True

Example (sum not divisible): 9 and 11 — neither divisible by 6, sum = 20, not divisible by 6.

Counter-example: 8 and 10 — neither divisible by 6, but sum = 18 = \(6 \times 3\).

(iv) The sum of a multiple of 6 and a multiple of 9 is a multiple of 3.

Always True

Algebraic Proof:

Multiple of 6 \(= 6x = 3(2x)\)

Multiple of 9 \(= 9y = 3(3y)\)

Sum \(= 6x + 9y = 3(2x + 3y)\) which is clearly a multiple of 3.

(v) The sum of a multiple of 6 and a multiple of 3 is a multiple of 9.

Sometimes True

Example (true): Multiple of 6 = 18, multiple of 3 = 9. Sum = 27 = \(9 \times 3\) ✓

Counter-example (false): Multiple of 6 = 12, multiple of 3 = 9. Sum = 21, not divisible by 9.

4
Find a few numbers that leave a remainder of 2 when divided by 3 and a remainder of 2 when divided by 4. Write an algebraic expression to describe all such numbers.
Solution

Step 1: Let the number be \(x\).

\(x = 3a + 2\) and \(x = 4b + 2\) for some integers \(a, b\).

Step 2: Equating: \(3a + 2 = 4b + 2 \Rightarrow 3a = 4b\)

So \(x – 2\) must be a common multiple of both 3 and 4.

Step 3: LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.

Therefore: \(x – 2 = 12n \Rightarrow x = 12n + 2\)

Such numbers:

\(n = 1: x = 12(1) + 2 = 14\)

\(n = 2: x = 12(2) + 2 = 26\)

\(n = 3: x = 12(3) + 2 = 38\)

And so on: 14, 26, 38, 50, 62, …

Algebraic Expression: All such numbers are of the form \(12n + 2\) where \(n\) is a positive integer.

5
“I hold some pebbles, not too many, When I group them in 3’s, one stays with me. Try pairing them up — it simply won’t do, A stubborn odd pebble remains in my view. Group them by 5, yet one’s still around, But grouping by seven, perfection is found. More than one hundred would be far too bold, Can you tell me the number of pebbles I hold?”
Solution

Step 1: Translate the clues into math:

  • \(N \equiv 1 \pmod 3\) (remainder 1 when grouped in 3s)
  • \(N \equiv 1 \pmod 2\) (odd number — remainder 1 when paired)
  • \(N \equiv 1 \pmod 5\) (remainder 1 when grouped in 5s)
  • \(N \equiv 0 \pmod 7\) (perfectly divisible by 7)
  • \(N < 100\)

Step 2: From first three conditions: \(N – 1\) is divisible by 3, 2, and 5.

So \(N – 1 = \text{LCM}(3, 2, 5) \times k = 30k\)

Therefore: \(N = 30k + 1\)

Step 3: Possible values under 100:

\(k = 1: N = 31\) — \(31 \div 7 = 4\) remainder 3 ✗

\(k = 2: N = 61\) — \(61 \div 7 = 8\) remainder 5 ✗

\(k = 3: N = 91\) — \(91 \div 7 = 13\) exactly ✓

Answer: 91 pebbles

Verification: \(91 = 3 \times 30 + 1\), \(91 = 2 \times 45 + 1\), \(91 = 5 \times 18 + 1\), \(91 = 7 \times 13\) ✓

6
Tathagat has written several numbers that leave a remainder of 2 when divided by 6. He claims, “If you add any three such numbers, the sum will always be a multiple of 6.” Is Tathagat’s claim true?
Solution

Step 1: Numbers with remainder 2 when divided by 6 are of the form: \(6a + 2\)

Step 2: Let three such numbers be: \(6a + 2\), \(6b + 2\), \(6c + 2\)

Step 3: Find the sum:

\begin{align} \text{Sum} &= (6a + 2) + (6b + 2) + (6c + 2) \\ &= 6a + 6b + 6c + 6 \\ &= 6(a + b + c + 1) \end{align}

This is clearly a multiple of 6. Tathagat’s claim is TRUE.

Example: Take 8, 14, 20 (all give remainder 2 when divided by 6). Sum = \(8 + 14 + 20 = 42 = 6 \times 7\) ✓

7
When divided by 7, the number 661 leaves a remainder of 3, and 4779 leaves a remainder of 5. Without calculating, can you say what remainders the following expressions will leave when divided by 7? Show the solution both algebraically and visually.
(i) \(4779 + 661\)   (ii) \(4779 – 661\)
Solution

Given: \(4779 = 7p + 5\) and \(661 = 7q + 3\)

(i) Remainder of \(4779 + 661\) when divided by 7

Algebraically:

\begin{align} 4779 + 661 &= (7p + 5) + (7q + 3) \\ &= 7p + 7q + 8 \\ &= 7(p + q) + 7 + 1 \\ &= 7(p + q + 1) + 1 \end{align}

Remainder = 1

Visually: Imagine groups of 7. 4779 makes \(p\) complete groups with 5 left over. 661 makes \(q\) complete groups with 3 left over. Together, the leftovers are \(5 + 3 = 8\), which makes one more group of 7 with 1 remaining.

(ii) Remainder of \(4779 – 661\) when divided by 7

Algebraically:

\begin{align} 4779 – 661 &= (7p + 5) – (7q + 3) \\ &= 7p + 5 – 7q – 3 \\ &= 7(p – q) + 2 \end{align}

Remainder = 2

Visually: From 5 leftover items, we remove 3. We have \(5 – 3 = 2\) items remaining after all complete groups of 7 are removed.

8
Find a number that leaves a remainder of 2 when divided by 3, a remainder of 3 when divided by 4, and a remainder of 4 when divided by 5. What is the smallest such number? Can you give a simple explanation of why it is the smallest?
Solution

Step 1: Observe the pattern:

  • Remainder 2 when divided by 3 → 2 = 3 – 1
  • Remainder 3 when divided by 4 → 3 = 4 – 1
  • Remainder 4 when divided by 5 → 4 = 5 – 1

Each remainder is one less than its divisor!

Step 2: This means the number is one less than a common multiple of 3, 4, and 5.

Step 3: Find LCM of 3, 4, and 5:

\(\text{LCM}(3, 4, 5) = 3 \times 4 \times 5 = 60\)
(since 3, 4, 5 are pairwise co-prime)

Step 4: The smallest such number is: \(60 – 1 = \mathbf{59}\)

Why is it the smallest? Because 60 is the least common multiple of 3, 4, and 5. Any smaller common multiple would have to be smaller than 60, but none exists.

Verification:

\(59 \div 3 = 19\) remainder 2 ✓
\(59 \div 4 = 14\) remainder 3 ✓
\(59 \div 5 = 11\) remainder 4 ✓
5.2

Checking Divisibility Quickly

Divisibility Rules for 9, 3, 11 & Digital Roots

Divisibility by 9 – Figure it Out (Page 126)
1
Find, without dividing, whether the following numbers are divisible by 9:
(i) 123   (ii) 405   (iii) 8888   (iv) 93547   (v) 358095
Solution — Sum of Digits Test

Rule: A number is divisible by 9 iff the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

NumberSum of DigitsDivisible by 9?
123\(1 + 2 + 3 = 6\)No
405\(4 + 0 + 5 = 9\)Yes
8888\(8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32 \rightarrow 3 + 2 = 5\)No
93547\(9 + 3 + 5 + 4 + 7 = 28 \rightarrow 2 + 8 = 10 \rightarrow 1\)No
358095\(3 + 5 + 8 + 0 + 9 + 5 = 30 \rightarrow 3 + 0 = 3\)No

Only 405 is divisible by 9.

2
Find the smallest multiple of 9 with no odd digits.
Solution

Step 1: Even digits are: 2, 4, 6, 8. We need to form a number using only these digits whose digit sum is divisible by 9.

Step 2: Sum of 9 (smallest multiple of 9) is odd, but sum of even digits is always even. So we need the next multiple: 18.

Step 3: Find even digits that sum to 18: \(2 + 8 + 8 = 18\)

Step 4: Arrange 2, 8, 8 to form the smallest number: 288

Verification: \(2 + 8 + 8 = 18 = 9 \times 2\) ✓

3
Find the multiple of 9 that is closest to the number 6000.
Solution

Step 1: Divide 6000 by 9: \(6000 \div 9 = 666.67\)

Step 2: So the nearest multiples are: \(9 \times 666 = 5994\) and \(9 \times 667 = 6003\)

Step 3: Distance from 6000:

\(|6000 – 5994| = 6\)
\(|6000 – 6003| = 3\)

Answer: 6003 (only 3 away from 6000)

4
How many multiples of 9 are there between the numbers 4300 and 4400?
Solution

Step 1: Find the first multiple of 9 ≥ 4300:

\(4300 \div 9 = 477.78\), so first multiple is \(9 \times 478 = 4302\)

Step 2: Find the last multiple of 9 ≤ 4400:

\(4400 \div 9 = 488.89\), so last multiple is \(9 \times 488 = 4392\)

Step 3: Count: from 478 to 488 inclusive:

\(488 – 478 + 1 = \mathbf{11}\)

Answer: 11 multiples of 9

Divisibility by 11 – Figure it Out (Page 128)
Q
Using the divisibility rule for 11, find out whether the following numbers are divisible by 11. Further, find the remainder if the number is not divisible by 11.
(i) 158   (ii) 841   (iii) 481   (iv) 5529   (v) 90904   (vi) 857076
Solution — Alternating Sum Rule

Rule: Place alternating + and – signs starting from the unit’s digit. Evaluate. If result is 0 or multiple of 11, the number is divisible by 11.

NumberAlternating SumResultRemainder
158\(-1 + 5 – 8 = -4\)Not divisibleNeed \(8 – 5 + 1 = 4\)
841\(-8 + 4 – 1 = -5\)Not divisible\(8 – 4 + 1 = 5\)
481\(-4 + 8 – 1 = 3\)Not divisible\(4 – 8 + 1 = -3\), so 8
5529\(+5 – 5 + 2 – 9 = -7\)Not divisible7
90904\(-9 + 0 – 9 + 0 – 4 = -22\)Divisible ✓0
857076\(+8 – 5 + 7 – 0 + 7 – 6 = 11\)Divisible ✓0
Divisibility Table – Page 129
Q
Fill in the following table. Find a quick way to do this?
Solution
Number23456891011
128YesNoYesNoNoYesNoNoNo
990YesYesNoYesYesNoYesYesYes
1586YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
275NoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoYes
6686YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
639210YesYesNoYesYesNoNoYesYes
429714YesYesNoNoYesNoYesNoNo
2856YesYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNo
3060YesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesNo
406839NoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Digital Roots – Figure it Out (Page 130-131)
Q
Between the numbers 600 and 700, which numbers have the digital root: (i) 5, (ii) 7, (iii) 3?
Solution

For numbers 600-700, digit sum = \(6 + 0 + 0 + \text{other digits}\) = \(6 + \text{sum of last 2 digits}\).

(i) Digital root = 5

Need digit sum with digital root 5: possible sums are 5, 14, 23…

For 6xx: \(6 + a + b = 14 \Rightarrow a + b = 8\)

Numbers: 608, 617, 626, 635, 644, 653, 662, 671, 680, 689, 698

(ii) Digital root = 7

Need sums: 7, 16, 25…

For 6xx: \(6 + a + b = 7 \Rightarrow a + b = 1\) or \(a + b = 16\) (for sum=16) or \(a+b=25\) impossible

Numbers: 601, 610, 619, 628, 637, 646, 655, 664, 673, 682, 691

(iii) Digital root = 3

Need sums: 3, 12, 21…

For 6xx: \(a + b = 6\) (for sum=12) or \(a + b = 15\) (for sum=21)

Numbers: 606, 615, 624, 633, 642, 651, 660, 669, 678, 687, 696

Q
Find the digital roots of some consecutive multiples of (i) 3, (ii) 4, (iii) 6. What do you observe?
Solution
(i) Multiples of 3

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 …

Digital roots: 3, 6, 9, 3, 6, 9, 3, 6, 9, …

Pattern: Repeating cycle of (3, 6, 9)

(ii) Multiples of 4

4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 …

Digital roots: 4, 8, 3, 7, 2, 6, 1, 5, 9, …

Pattern: Cycles through all digits 1-9 except in order

(iii) Multiples of 6

6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 …

Digital roots: 6, 3, 9, 6, 3, 9, 6, 3, 9, …

Pattern: Repeating cycle of (6, 3, 9)

Observation: For multiples of 3 and 6, the digital roots cycle through {3, 6, 9}. Numbers that are 1 more than a multiple of 6 have digital roots that cycle through {1, 4, 7} or {2, 5, 8}.

Q
Riddle: “I’m made of digits, each tiniest and odd, No shared ground with root #1 — how odd! My digits count, their sum, my root — All point to one bold number’s pursuit — The largest odd single-digit I proudly claim. What’s my number? What’s my name?”
Solution

Clues decoded:

  • “Each tiniest and odd” → all digits are odd (1 is the tiniest odd digit)
  • “No shared ground with root #1” → digital root is not 1
  • “Digits count, their sum, my root” → number of digits = sum of digits = digital root
  • “Largest odd single-digit” → 9

So: number of digits = 9, digital root = 9, all digits are 1 (odd).

Answer: 111111111 (Nine 1s)

Written in words: Eleven crore eleven lakh eleven thousand one hundred eleven

\(= 11,11,11,111\)

Digital Roots – Figure it Out (Page 131)
1
The digital root of an 8-digit number is 5. What will be the digital root of 10 more than that number?
Solution

Adding 10 increases the digit sum by 1 (since \(10 \rightarrow 1 + 0 = 1\)).

Digital root of new number = \(5 + 1 = \mathbf{6}\)

Example: If number is 40000001 (digit sum = 5), then 40000011 has digit sum = 6.

2
Write any number. Generate a sequence of numbers by repeatedly adding 11. What would be the digital roots of this sequence of numbers?
Solution

Let the starting number be 10. Sequence: 10, 21, 32, 43, 54, 65, 76, 87, 98, 109, 120, …

NumberDigital RootNumberDigital Root
101652
213764
325876
437988
5491091

Observation: The digital roots follow a repeating cycle: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 2, 4, 6, 8, 1, …

This happens because adding 11 (whose digital root is 2) shifts the digital root by 2 each time (mod 9).

3
What will be the digital root of the number \(9a + 36b + 13\)?
Solution

Step 1: Rearrange the expression:

\begin{align} 9a + 36b + 13 &= 9a + 36b + 9 + 4 \\ &= 9(a + 4b + 1) + 4 \end{align}

Step 2: \(9(a + 4b + 1)\) is a multiple of 9, so its digital root is 9.

Step 3: Digital root of the entire expression = digital root of \(9 + 4 = 13 \rightarrow 1 + 3 = \mathbf{4}\)

4
Make conjectures by examining if there are any patterns or relations between:
(i) the parity of a number and its digital root.
(ii) the digital root of a number and the remainder obtained when the number is divided by 3 or 9.
Solution
(i) Parity and Digital Root

No consistent pattern

Even numbers can have any digital root (1-9), and odd numbers can too. There is no direct relationship.

(ii) Digital Root and Remainder when divided by 3
Digital RootRemainder when ÷ 3
1, 4, 71
2, 5, 82
3, 6, 90

When divided by 9: If digital root = 9, remainder = 0. If digital root < 9, remainder = digital root itself.

📚

Exercise Questions (Section 5.3)

Cryptarithms, Divisibility & Number Patterns — Complete Solutions

Cryptarithms – Page 131-132
(i) Addition
A1
+ 1B
——
B0
A = 7, B = 9
(79 + 19 = 90… wait)
A = 7, B = 9
71 + 19 = 90 ✓
(ii) Addition
AB
+ 37
——
6A
A = 2, B = 5
25 + 37 = 62 ✓
(iii) Addition
ON
+ ON
——
PO
N = 1, O = 3, P = 9
31 + 31 + 31 = 93…
31 + 31 = 62
Actually: 31×3=93
So: O=3, N=1, P=9
(iv) Addition
QR
+ QR
——
PRR
Wait, let me recheck.
Actually: QR × 3 = PRR
Q = 8, R = 5, P = 2
85 × 3 = 255 ✓
v-vii
Solve the cryptarithms:
(v) \(PQ \times 8 = RS\)   (vi) \(GH \times H = 9K\)   (vii) \(BYE \times 6 = RAY\)
Solutions
(v) \(PQ \times 8 = RS\)

2-digit × 8 = 2-digit. Since \(10 \times 8 = 80\), try values:

\(12 \times 8 = 96\) ✓ (digits 1,2,9,6 all different)

\(13 \times 8 = 104\) (3 digits) ✗

Answer: P = 1, Q = 2, R = 9, S = 6

(vi) \(GH \times H = 9K\)

2-digit number × its units digit = number in 90s.

Possible solutions: \(11 \times 9 = 99\) (reject: same digits), \(12 \times 8 = 96\) (check: G=1, H=8? No, 12×8 uses 1,2,8,9,6)

Actually: \(12 \times 8 = 96\): digits 1,2,8,9,6 all unique ✓

Other options: \(16 \times 6 = 96\) (reject: H appears twice), \(24 \times 4 = 96\) (reject)

Answer: G = 1, H = 2, K = 6 (with the 9 and other digits fitting)

(vii) \(BYE \times 6 = RAY\)

Since product is 3-digit, \(B = 1\) (if B≥2, product > 1200).

\(Y\) must be even (product even) and \(Y \leq 6\) (if Y=7, 170×6=1020, 4 digits).

Answer: B = 1, and Y is one of {0, 2, 4, 6}

Extra
Solve the following cryptarithms:
(i) \(UT \times 3 = PUT\)   (ii) \(AB \times 5 = BC\)   (iii) \(L2N \times 2 = 2NP\)
(iv) \(XY \times 4 = ZX\)   (v) \(PP \times QQ = PRP\)   (vi) \(JK \times 6 = KKK\)
Solutions
(i) UT × 3 = PUT
50
×  3
——
150
U = 5, T = 0, P = 1
50 × 3 = 150 ✓
(ii) AB × 5 = BC
19
×  5
——
95
A = 1, B = 9, C = 5
19 × 5 = 95 ✓
(iii) L2N × 2 = 2NP
125
×   2
——
250
L = 1, N = 5, P = 0
125 × 2 = 250 ✓
(iv) XY × 4 = ZX
23
×  4
——
92
X = 2, Y = 3, Z = 9
23 × 4 = 92 ✓
(v) PP × QQ = PRP
22
× 11
——
242
P = 2, Q = 1, R = 4
22 × 11 = 242 ✓
(vi) JK × 6 = KKK
74
×  6
——
444
J = 7, K = 4
74 × 6 = 444 ✓
Figure it Out 5.3 – Page 132-133
1
If \(31z5\) is a multiple of 9, where \(z\) is a digit, what is the value of \(z\)? Explain why there are two answers.
Solution

Step 1: Sum of digits = \(3 + 1 + z + 5 = 9 + z\)

Step 2: For divisibility by 9, \(9 + z\) must be divisible by 9.

Step 3: Since \(z\) is a single digit (0-9):

\(9 + z = 9 \Rightarrow z = 0\)
\(9 + z = 18 \Rightarrow z = 9\)

Two answers: \(z = 0\) or \(z = 9\)

Numbers: 3105 (sum=9) and 3195 (sum=18) — both divisible by 9.

2
“I take a number that leaves a remainder of 8 when divided by 12. I take another number which is 4 short of a multiple of 12. Their sum will always be a multiple of 8”, claims Snehal. Examine his claim.
Solution

Step 1: Let the numbers be:

\(a = 12n + 8\) and \(b = 12m – 4\)

Step 2: Their sum:

\begin{align} a + b &= (12n + 8) + (12m – 4) \\ &= 12(n + m) + 4 \\ &= 12k + 4 \quad \text{(where } k = n + m\text{)} \end{align}

Step 3: \(12k + 4 = 4(3k + 1)\). This is always divisible by 4, but not always by 8.

Counter-example: Let \(k = 2\): \(12(2) + 4 = 28\), which is NOT divisible by 8.

Snehal’s claim is FALSE

3
When is the sum of two multiples of 3, a multiple of 6 and when is it not? Explain the different possible cases, and generalise the pattern.
Solution

Let the two multiples of 3 be \(3m\) and \(3n\).

Sum: \(3m + 3n = 3(m + n)\)

This is a multiple of 6 when \((m + n)\) is even.

Cases:

Case 1: Both \(m\) and \(n\) are even → \(m + n\) is even → Sum is multiple of 6 ✓

Case 2: Both \(m\) and \(n\) are odd → \(m + n\) is even → Sum is multiple of 6 ✓

Case 3: One even, one odd → \(m + n\) is odd → Sum is NOT multiple of 6 ✗

Generalisation: The sum of two multiples of 3 is a multiple of 6 iff the sum of their quotients (when divided by 3) is even.

4
Sreelatha says, “I have a number that is divisible by 9. If I reverse its digits, it will still be divisible by 9”. (i) Examine if her conjecture is true for any multiple of 9. (ii) Are any other digit shuffles possible?
Solution
(i) Is reversing digits preserved?

Yes, ALWAYS TRUE

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

Reversing digits does NOT change the sum of digits.

Example: 1233 is divisible by 9 (sum=9). Reversed: 3321 (sum=9) — also divisible by 9.

(ii) Other digit shuffles?

Yes, ANY shuffle works!

Any rearrangement of digits preserves the digit sum, so divisibility by 9 is preserved.

Example: 1233 → 2133, 3123, 3312, etc. — all divisible by 9.

5
If \(48a23b\) is a multiple of 18, list all possible pairs of values for \(a\) and \(b\).
Solution

Step 1: For divisibility by 18, the number must be divisible by both 2 and 9.

Step 2 (Divisibility by 2): \(b\) must be even. So \(b \in \{0, 2, 4, 6, 8\}\)

Step 3 (Divisibility by 9): Sum of digits must be divisible by 9.

Sum = \(4 + 8 + a + 2 + 3 + b = 17 + a + b\)

\(17 + a + b = 18\) or \(27\) (next multiple of 9, since max \(a + b = 17\))

For each value of \(b\):

\(b = 0: a + 17 = 18 \Rightarrow a = 1\) or \(a + 17 = 27 \Rightarrow a = 10\) (invalid)

\(b = 2: a + 19 = 27 \Rightarrow a = 8\)

\(b = 4: a + 21 = 27 \Rightarrow a = 6\)

\(b = 6: a + 23 = 27 \Rightarrow a = 4\)

\(b = 8: a + 25 = 27 \Rightarrow a = 2\)

Possible pairs \((a, b)\): (1, 0), (8, 2), (6, 4), (4, 6), (2, 8)

6
If \(3p7q8\) is divisible by 44, list all possible pairs of values for \(p\) and \(q\).
Solution

Step 1: \(44 = 4 \times 11\), so the number must be divisible by both 4 and 11.

Step 2 (Divisibility by 4): Last two digits \(q8\) must be divisible by 4.

Possible: \(08, 28, 48, 68, 88\) → \(q \in \{0, 2, 4, 6, 8\}\)

Step 3 (Divisibility by 11): Alternating sum must be 0 or multiple of 11.

For \(3p7q8\): \((8 + 7 + 3) – (q + p) = 18 – (p + q)\)

\(18 – (p + q) = 0 \Rightarrow p + q = 18\) (impossible for valid digits with given q)

\(18 – (p + q) = 11 \Rightarrow p + q = 7\)

\(18 – (p + q) = -11 \Rightarrow p + q = 29\) (impossible)

Solving \(p + q = 7\) with valid \(q\):

\(q = 0: p = 7\)   \(q = 2: p = 5\)   \(q = 4: p = 3\)   \(q = 6: p = 1\)

\(q = 8: p = -1\) (invalid)

Possible pairs \((p, q)\): (7, 0), (5, 2), (3, 4), (1, 6)

7
Find three consecutive numbers such that the first is a multiple of 2, the second is a multiple of 3, and the third is a multiple of 4. Are there more such numbers? How often do they occur?
Solution

Step 1: Let the numbers be \(n, n+1, n+2\).

\(n \equiv 0 \pmod 2\), \(n + 1 \equiv 0 \pmod 3\), \(n + 2 \equiv 0 \pmod 4\)

Step 2: From \(n + 2 \equiv 0 \pmod 4\): \(n \equiv 2 \pmod 4\), so \(n\) is even. ✓

From \(n + 1 \equiv 0 \pmod 3\): \(n \equiv 2 \pmod 3\)

Step 3: Need \(n \equiv 2 \pmod 4\) and \(n \equiv 2 \pmod 3\)

So \(n – 2\) is divisible by both 3 and 4, i.e., by LCM(3,4) = 12.

\(n = 12k + 2\) for integer \(k \geq 0\)

Examples:

\(k = 0: n = 2\) → 2, 3, 4 (2÷2=1, 3÷3=1, 4÷4=1) ✓

\(k = 1: n = 14\) → 14, 15, 16 (14÷2=7, 15÷3=5, 16÷4=4) ✓

\(k = 2: n = 26\) → 26, 27, 28

Answer: Such triples occur infinitely often, every 12 numbers (the LCM of 2, 3, 4).

8
Write five multiples of 36 between 45,000 and 47,000.
Solution

Step 1: For a multiple of 36, the number must be divisible by both 9 (sum of digits) and 4 (last two digits).

Step 2: Find multiples of 36 near 45,000:

\(45000 \div 36 = 1250\)
So first multiple is \(36 \times 1251 = 45036\)

Five multiples: 45036, 45072, 45108, 45144, 45180

Each is 36 more than the previous one.

9
The middle number in the sequence of 5 consecutive even numbers is \(5p\). Express the other four numbers in sequence in terms of \(p\).
Solution

Five consecutive even numbers with middle term \(5p\):

Since consecutive even numbers differ by 2:

\(\underbrace{5p – 4}_{\text{1st}}, \underbrace{5p – 2}_{\text{2nd}}, \underbrace{5p}_{\text{3rd (middle)}}, \underbrace{5p + 2}_{\text{4th}}, \underbrace{5p + 4}_{\text{5th}}\)

Answer: The other four numbers are \(5p – 4\), \(5p – 2\), \(5p + 2\), \(5p + 4\)

10
Write a 6-digit number that is divisible by 15, such that when the digits are reversed, it is divisible by 6.
Solution

Step 1: Divisible by 15 means divisible by 3 and 5 → last digit is 0 or 5.

Step 2: Reversed number divisible by 6 means divisible by 2 and 3.

For reversed to be divisible by 2, the first digit of original must be even (this becomes the last digit of reversed).

Step 3: If original ends in 0, reversed starts with 0 → not a 6-digit number.

So original must end in 5, and first digit must be even (2, 4, 6, 8).

Step 4: Sum of digits must be divisible by 3.

Example: Let first digit = 2, last digit = 5. Need sum of middle 4 digits + 7 divisible by 3.

Simplest: 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9 (divisible by 3)

One answer: 200025

Reversed: 520002 (ends in 2, so divisible by 2; sum=9, divisible by 3) ✓

Other examples: 200055, 200085, 202005, …

11
Deepak claims, “There are some multiples of 11 which, when doubled, are still multiples of 11. But other multiples of 11 don’t remain multiples of 11 when doubled”. Examine his conjecture.
Solution

Step 1: Let \(n\) be a multiple of 11. Then \(n = 11k\) for some integer \(k\).

Step 2: When doubled: \(2n = 2 \times 11k = 11(2k)\)

Step 3: \(2n = 11 \times (\text{integer})\), which is clearly a multiple of 11.

Example: 22 = 11 × 2. Doubled: 44 = 11 × 4 ✓

Another: 55 = 11 × 5. Doubled: 110 = 11 × 10 ✓

ALL multiples of 11, when doubled, remain multiples of 11.

Deepak’s conjecture is FALSE

Reason: If \(n = 11k\), then \(2n = 11(2k)\). Since \(2k\) is always an integer, \(2n\) is always divisible by 11.

12
Determine whether the statements below are ‘Always True’, ‘Sometimes True’, or ‘Never True’. Explain your reasoning.
(i) The product of a multiple of 6 and a multiple of 3 is a multiple of 9.
(ii) The sum of three consecutive even numbers will be divisible by 6.
(iii) If abcdef is a multiple of 6, then badcef will be a multiple of 6.
(iv) \(8(7b – 3) – 4(11b + 1)\) is a multiple of 12.
Solution
(i) Product of multiple of 6 and multiple of 3

Sometimes True

Multiple of 6 = \(6m = 2 \times 3 \times m\), multiple of 3 = \(3n\)

Product = \(18mn = 9(2mn)\) — this IS always a multiple of 9!

Correction: Always True (since 6 × 3 = 18 which contains 9 as factor)

(ii) Sum of three consecutive even numbers

Always True

Let numbers be \(2n, 2n+2, 2n+4\). Sum = \(6n + 6 = 6(n+1)\), always divisible by 6.

(iii) Shuffling digits of a multiple of 6

Always True

For divisibility by 6, need divisibility by 2 and 3. Shuffling preserves digit sum (so divisible by 3 stays). But wait — divisibility by 2 depends on last digit!

Actually: Sometimes True (if last digit remains even after shuffle)

(iv) \(8(7b – 3) – 4(11b + 1)\)

Never True

\begin{align} &8(7b – 3) – 4(11b + 1) \\ &= 56b – 24 – 44b – 4 \\ &= 12b – 28 \\ &= 4(3b – 7) \end{align}

This is a multiple of 4, but not necessarily of 12. For it to be multiple of 12, \((3b – 7)\) must be divisible by 3, i.e., \(3b – 7 \equiv 0 \pmod 3\), meaning \(-7 \equiv 0 \pmod 3\), i.e., \(2 \equiv 0 \pmod 3\) which is false.

So it’s never a multiple of 12.

13
Choose any 3 numbers. When is their sum divisible by 3? Explore all possible cases and generalise.
Solution

Let the three numbers be \(n_1, n_2, n_3\).

When divided by 3, each leaves remainder 0, 1, or 2.

Possible Cases:

Case I: All three have same remainder.

Sum of remainders = \(0+0+0 = 0\), \(1+1+1 = 3\), or \(2+2+2 = 6\) — all divisible by 3. ✓

Case II: All three have different remainders (0, 1, 2).

Sum = \(0 + 1 + 2 = 3\) — divisible by 3. ✓

Case III: Two same, one different (e.g., 0, 0, 1 or 1, 1, 2, etc.)

Sum = \(0+0+1 = 1\), \(1+1+2 = 4\) — NOT divisible by 3. ✗

Generalisation: The sum of three numbers is divisible by 3 iff the sum of their remainders (when divided by 3) is divisible by 3 (i.e., equals 0, 3, or 6).

14
Is the product of two consecutive integers always a multiple of 2? Why? What about the product of three consecutive integers? Is it always a multiple of 6? What can you say about the product of 4 consecutive integers? What about 5 consecutive integers?
Solution
(i) Product of 2 consecutive integers

Yes, always multiple of 2

Of any two consecutive integers, one is always even. Product with an even number is even.

(ii) Product of 3 consecutive integers

Yes, always multiple of 6

In any 3 consecutive integers, there is at least one multiple of 2 and exactly one multiple of 3.

Product contains factors 2 × 3 = 6.

(iii) Product of 4 consecutive integers

Always multiple of 24

Contains: at least one multiple of 2, one of 3, and one of 4.

Product contains: \(2 \times 3 \times 4 = 24\)

(iv) Product of 5 consecutive integers

Always multiple of 120

Contains multiples of 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Product contains: \(2 \times 3 \times 4 \times 5 = 120\)

15
Solve the cryptarithms: (i) \(EF \times E = GGG\)   (ii) \(WOW \times 5 = MEOW\)
Solution
(i) \(EF \times E = GGG\)

\(GGG = G \times 111 = G \times 3 \times 37\)

So \(EF \times E = G \times 3 \times 37\)

Try \(E = 3\): \(3F \times 3 = GGG \Rightarrow 9F + 9 = GGG\)… Let me try directly:

\(37 \times 3 = 111\) → E=3, F=7, G=1 ✓

Answer: E = 3, F = 7, G = 1 (\(37 \times 3 = 111\))

(ii) \(WOW \times 5 = MEOW\)

3-digit × 5 = 4-digit. So \(W \geq 2\).

Also \(W \times 5\) ends in W, so W = 5 (since 5×5=25 ends in 5).

\(5O5 \times 5 = MEO5\)

\(505 \times 5 = 2525\) → O=0? Check: 505×5=2525

So W=5, O=2? No wait. Let me try: \(575 \times 5 = 2875\)? No, that gives O twice.

Try: \(WOW = 575\)… W appears twice already. Try \(757 \times 5 = 3785\)? M=3,E=7,O=8,W=7. But E=7=W!

Try: \(585 \times 5 = 2925\)? No, W appears.

Actually: W = 5. Let O be different from W.

\(W = 5: 5O5 \times 5\). Try O = 7: \(575 \times 5 = 2875\). M=2, E=8, O=7? Check: MEOW = 2875, so O should be 7 and W=5. WOW = 575 ✓

Answer: W = 5, O = 7, M = 2, E = 8

Verification: \(575 \times 5 = 2875\) ✓

16
Which of the following Venn diagrams captures the relationship between the multiples of 4, 8, and 32?
Solution

Key Relationships:

  • Every multiple of 32 is a multiple of 8 (since \(32 = 8 \times 4\))
  • Every multiple of 8 is a multiple of 4 (since \(8 = 4 \times 2\))
  • So: Multiples of 32 ⊂ Multiples of 8 ⊂ Multiples of 4

This means 32 is the innermost set, 8 is in the middle, and 4 is the outermost set.

Correct Answer: Option (iv) — Three concentric circles with 32 innermost, 8 in middle, 4 outermost.

Chapter Summary

Key Properties & Divisibility Rules

  • Divisibility Property 1: If \(a\) is divisible by \(b\), then all multiples of \(a\) are divisible by \(b\).
  • Divisibility Property 2: If \(a\) is divisible by \(b\), then \(a\) is divisible by all factors of \(b\).
  • Divisibility Property 3: If \(a\) divides \(m\) and \(a\) divides \(n\), then \(a\) divides \(m + n\) and \(m – n\).
  • Divisibility Property 4: If \(a\) is divisible by both \(b\) and \(c\), then \(a\) is divisible by \(\text{LCM}(b, c)\).
  • Divisibility by 9: Sum of digits must be divisible by 9.
  • Divisibility by 3: Sum of digits must be divisible by 3.
  • Divisibility by 11: Alternating sum of digits must be 0 or multiple of 11.
  • Digital Root: Repeated sum of digits until single digit; equals remainder when divided by 9 (with digital root 9 meaning remainder 0).

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