Divisibility Rules for 7

ClassRoom

D
JITENDRA VERMA ivisibility rules are one of the important topics of study
in school mathematics, especially in upper primary
classes. They enable us to quickly identify if one number
is divisible by another. We know various methods for checking
the divisibility of a number by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 etc. It is also
clear that checking of divisibility of the given number by some
numbers is quite easy, while for some numbers is a bit complicated.
Divisibility by 7 is a challenging one, with many attempts made
to simplify the rule. Chika’s divisibility rule for 7 is a recent one
among them. Here, we shall discuss three different divisibility
methods for 7, using existing methods which add new dimensions
to the concept.

Method 1: Doubling the unit digit

Take the given Remove the Double the Subtract the doubled If the difference is either 0 or a
number unit digit unit digit digit from the multiple of 7, then the original
and write the which was truncated number number is divisible by 7.
truncated removed (Repeat if necessary)
number
532 53 2×2=4 53 − 4 = 49 49 is divisible by 7 so 532 is
also divisible by 7
427 42 2 × 7 = 14 42 − 14 = 28 28 is divisible by 7 so 427 is
also divisible by 7
29792 2979 2×2=4 2979 − 4 = 2975 Repeat for 2975
2975 297 2 × 5 = 10 297 − 10 = 287 Repeat for 287
287 28 2 × 7 = 14 28 − 14 = 14 14 is divisible by 7 so 29792
is also divisible by 7
Try 2308012
now

With the above examples, we understand that this method is

useful for checking divisibility by 7 without performing long
division for a 3-digit number, but is quite lengthy for 4 or
more-digit numbers.

Keywords: Factors, divisibility, checks, rules, justification

50 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, March 2024

Justification of the rule
Suppose N = 1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1 + a0
(Where a0, a1, a2, a3 are the digits of the 4-digit number N )
According to the rule, we write the truncated version (say NT) without the unit digit of N and then
take away (subtract) from NT twice the unit digit to get a new number (say M ).
NT = 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 (Note the change in the place values after the number is truncated)
M = NT – 2a0 = 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 – 2a0
Our rule says that if M is a multiple of 7, then N is also a multiple of 7.
Assume that M is a multiple of 7, i.e. M = 7k for some whole number k.
Then, M = 7k = 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 – 2a0 or 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 =7k + 2a0
Substituting this in N, we get
N = 1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1 + a0
N = (1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1)+ a0 = 10(100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1) + a0
= 10(7k + 2a0) + a0 = 70k + 21a0 = 7(10k + 3a0)
So, if M is a multiple of 7, then so is N.
This can easily be generalized to any number of digits.

Method 2: Multiplying the unit digit by 5

Take the given Remove the unit Multiply the Add the result to the If the sum is either 0 or a
number digit and write unit digit by 5 truncated number multiple of 7, then the original
the truncated number is divisible by 7
number (Repeat if necessary)
378 37 8 × 5 = 40 37 + 40 = 77 77 is divisible by 7 so 378 is also
divisible by 7
2464 246 5 × 4 = 20 246 + 20 = 266 Repeat for 266
266 26 5 × 6 = 30 26 + 30 = 56 56 is a multiple of 7, So 266
and 2464 are divisible by 7
29792 2979 2 × 5 = 10 2979 + 10 = 2989 Repeat for 2989
2989 298 9 × 5 = 45 298 + 45 = 343 Repeat for 343
343 34 3 × 5 = 15 34 + 15 = 49 49 is a multiple of 7 so 343,
2989 and 29792 are divisible
by 7
Try 2308012
now

One may provide a justification, which is very similar to the previous one as follows.
Suppose N = 1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1 + a0
(Where a0, a1, a2, a3 are the digits of the 4-digit number N)

Azim Premji University At Right Angles, March 2024 51

 According to the rule, we write the truncated version (say NT) of N and add five times the unit digit
to get a new number (say M ).
NT =100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1
M = NT + 5a0 = 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 + 5a0
Our rule says that if M is a multiple of 7, then N is also a multiple of 7.
Assume that M is a multiple of 7, i.e. M = 7k for some whole number k.
Then, M = 7k = 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 + 5a0 or 100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1 = 7k – 5a0
Substituting this in N, we get
N = 1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1 + a0
N = (1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1)+ a0 = 10(100 a3 + 10 a2 + a1) + a0
= 10(7k – 5a0) + a0 = 70 k – 49 a0 = 7(10k – 7 a0)
So, if M is a multiple of 7, then so is N.
This can easily be generalized to any number of digits.

Method 3: Grouping of digits (Rule – 1-3-2)

Take the Number Make Multiply the right-most Add all odd- Add all even- Difference
groups of digit by 1, the next by 3 numbered numbered
|c–d |
three digits and the left-most by 2 in groups groups
starting from each group
the unit digit
a b c d e
N1 = 672 672 6 × 2 + 7 × 3 + 2 × 1 = 35 35 0 35
Result |c–d |= 35 is divisible by 7. So, the number N1 is also divisible by 7.
N2 = 4704 004 704 4×1=4 18 4 |18 – 4| = 14
7 × 2 + 0 × 3 + 4 × 1 = 18
Result |c–d |= 14 is divisible by 7 So, the number N2 is also divisible by 7.
N3 = 32921 032 3 × 3 + 2 × 1 = 11 25 11 |25 – 11| = 14
921 9 × 2 + 2 × 3 + 1 × 1 = 25
Result |c–d |= 14 is divisible by 7. So, the number N3 is also divisible by 7.
N4 = 197526 197 1 × 2 + 9 × 3 + 7 × 1 = 36 22 36 |22 – 6| = 14
526 5 × 2 + 2 × 3 + 6 × 1 = 22
Result |c–d |= 14 is divisible by 7. So, the number N4 is also divisible by 7.
N5 = 164953525268 164 1 × 2 + 6 × 3 + 4 × 1 = 24 30+36 = 66 21+24 = 45 |66 – 45| = 21
953 9 × 2 + 5 × 3 + 3 × 1 = 36
525 5 × 2 + 2 × 3 + 5 × 1 = 21
268 2 × 2 + 6 × 3 + 8 × 1 = 30
Result 21 is divisible by 7. So, the number N5 is divisible by 7.

52 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, March 2024

This is yet another way of checking for divisibility by 7. Let’s illustrate it step by step.
1. Starting from the unit place of the number, make groups of three digits. The last group will contain
the remaining digits.
2. In each group, multiply the right-most digit by 1, the next by 3 and the left-most by 2.
3. Add all the products obtained in each group.
4. Find the sums of the odd and even-numbered groups.
5. If the difference of these two sums is divisible by 7 or is 0, then the original number will be
divisible by 7.
Justification of the rule
Suppose N = 100000 a5 + 10000 a4 + 1000 a3 + 100 a2 + 10 a1 + a0
(Where a0, a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, are the digits of the 6-digit number N)
S1 = a0 × 1 + a1, × 3 + a2 × 2 S2 = a3 × 1 + a4 × 3 + a5 × 2
M = S1 – S2
Our rule says that if M is a multiple of 7, then N is also a multiple of 7.
Assume that M is a multiple of 7, i.e. M = 7k for some whole number k.
7k = (a0 × 1 + a1, × 3 + a2 × 2) – ( a3 × 1 + a4 × 3 + a5 × 2)
= (–2a5 – 3a4 –a3 + 2a2 + 3a1 + a0)
N = (100002a5 – 2a5) + (10003a4 – 3a4) + (1001a3 – a3) + (98a2 + 2a2) + (7a1 + 3a1) + a0
N = 7(14286a5 + 1428a4 + 143a3 + 14a2 + a1) + (–2a5 – 3a4 – a3 + 2a2 + 3a1 + a0)
N = 7(14286a5 + 1428a4 + 143a3 + 14a2 +a1) + 7k
So, if M is a multiple of 7, then so is N.
This can easily be generalized to any number of digits.
Note: Rule – 1-3-2 can be used for any number with 2 or more digits. It can help us to find the divisibility
of any number by 7 easily and quickly as well.

Comparison

Method Operations needed Remark

Doubling the unit digit ×, – Useful for 2 or 3-digit numbers.
Unit digit is multiplied by 5 ×, + Useful for 2 or 3-digit numbers.
Rule 132 ×, +, –, grouping Useful for more than 3-digit numbers.

Explorations such as this help teachers plan lessons in which students develop capacities for problem-
solving, logical reasoning, and computational thinking. Students become comfortable in working
with abstractions and other core techniques of Mathematics and Computational Thinking, such as
the mathematical modelling of phenomena and the development of algorithms to solve problems.
(NCF-SE 2023).

Azim Premji University At Right Angles, March 2024 53

 If the teaching of divisibility rules stops at practising number skills, then we are severely limiting the
potential of such a rich topic. Asking why the rule works, trying to generalise it, comparing different rules
and then trying to make their own rules will not just develop mathematical minds but also impart an
understanding of the joy and beauty of the subject.

Reference
1. http://publications.azimpremjifoundation.org/2306/1/3_Chika%27s_test_for_divisibility_by_7.pdf
2. https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/NCFSE-2023-August_2023.pdf

JITENDRA VERMA is a Resource Person at Azim Premji Foundation in district Dhar, M.P. He has done an MBA
in Finance from IGNOU New Delhi. Jitendra worked as a mathematics teacher and principal in public schools in
Madhya Pradesh. In his present role, he is focusing on conceptual understanding as well as pedagogical processes
used in teaching mathematics. He has been doing mathematics with teachers and children for more than 5 years
and is interested in exploring and designing teaching resources to address misconceptions and lead to learning
and understanding mathematics easily. Jitendra may be contacted at [email protected]

Math is a cake walk! At Right Angles November 2023 Challenge

We divided a delicious chocolate cake into 12 pieces and served each

piece in a half plate!
Here is your challenge!
How many math questions can you make from this situation?
Send in your questions to [email protected]

Response from reader Response from reader

Rohini Khaparde Astik Yadav
[email protected] [email protected]
School of Scholars Hudkeshwar Nagpur
School Of Scholars, Akola.
Affiliation No. 1130166 1. If the radius of the original circular cake before cutting
is ‘r’ and the cake is cut into 12 equal pieces, each served
1. How many plates will be needed to
on a half plate with a radius of ‘p’, express the ratio of the
serve two-thirds of the cake?
area of one cake piece to the area of one half plate in terms
2. If out of 12 pieces only 8 are to be of ‘r’ and ‘p’.
served, then what is the ratio of the
2. If someone ate one-third of the cake, what fraction
number of plates needed to the total
of cake is remaining?
number of plates needed to serve the
full cake? 3. What percentage of the cake is on each plate if you
consider the whole cake as 100%?
4. If someone eats 3 pieces of cake, what fraction of the
whole cake has he consumed?
5. If we want to share the cake equally among 4 people, how
many pieces would each person get?

54 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, March 2024