Divisibility

Definition

Divisibility is the property of a number being evenly divisible by another number without a remainder. It is a fundamental concept in mathematics that underpins various topics, including dividing whole numbers, finding multiples and factors, and prime factorization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A number is divisible by another number if the result of the division has no remainder.
2. Divisibility rules can be used to quickly determine if a number is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 without performing long division.
3. Knowing the divisibility of numbers is essential for finding factors and multiples, which are important in various mathematical operations.
4. Prime factorization relies on the divisibility of numbers to express a number as a product of its prime factors.
5. The concept of divisibility is foundational for understanding the relationships between whole numbers and their properties.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of divisibility is related to the process of dividing whole numbers.
  • The concept of divisibility is directly related to the process of dividing whole numbers. A number is divisible by another number if the result of the division has no remainder. This means that the dividend can be evenly divided by the divisor, which is a fundamental step in the division of whole numbers. Understanding divisibility helps determine whether a division operation will result in a whole number answer or if there will be a remainder.
• Describe how the concept of divisibility is used to find multiples and factors of a number.
  • Divisibility is a key concept in finding multiples and factors of a number. A multiple of a number is a number that can be expressed as a product of the original number and another whole number. To find the multiples of a number, you can use the divisibility property to determine which numbers are evenly divisible by the original number. Similarly, the factors of a number are the numbers that divide evenly into the original number without a remainder. Identifying the divisibility of a number is essential for determining its factors and multiples.
• Explain the role of divisibility in the process of prime factorization.
  • Prime factorization is the process of expressing a number as a product of its prime factors. Divisibility is a crucial concept in prime factorization because it allows you to systematically break down a number into its prime factors. By repeatedly checking the divisibility of a number by different prime numbers, you can identify the prime factors that make up the original number. Understanding divisibility is essential for efficiently performing prime factorization, as it helps you determine which prime numbers can be used to divide the number without a remainder.

Related terms

Factor:

A factor is a number that divides evenly into another number without a remainder.

Multiple:

A multiple is a number that can be expressed as a product of two or more whole numbers.

Prime Factorization:

Prime factorization is the process of expressing a number as a product of its prime factors.