Divisibility rules are essential mental shortcuts in mathematics. They allow you to determine whether a number is divisible by another without performing the actual long division. Mastering these rules is a game-changer for speed and accuracy in math.

For example:

  • Is 128 divisible by 2? Yes, because it ends in 8.
  • Is 153 divisible by 3? Yes, because 1+5+3=9 (which is divisible by 3).

In this post, we provide a complete chart of divisibility rules from 1 to 20, along with easy short tricks and a downloadable PDF for your study desk.

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What is a Divisibility Rule?

A divisibility rule is a shorthand way of determining whether a given integer is divisible by a fixed divisor without performing division, usually by examining its digits.

In short: Divisibility Rule = A shortcut to find factors and multiples quickly.

Complete Divisibility Rules Table (1 to 20)

DivisorRule / Condition
1Every number is divisible by 1.
2The last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8).
3The sum of the digits is divisible by 3.
4The last two digits are divisible by 4.
5The last digit is either 0 or 5.
6The number is divisible by both 2 and 3.
7Double the last digit and subtract it from the rest. The result must be 0 or divisible by 7.
8The last three digits are divisible by 8.
9The sum of the digits is divisible by 9.
10The number ends in 0.
11The difference between the sum of digits at odd places and even places is 0 or divisible by 11.
12The number is divisible by both 3 and 4.
13Multiply the last digit by 4 and add it to the rest. The result must be divisible by 13.
14The number is divisible by both 2 and 7.
15The number is divisible by both 3 and 5.
16The last four digits are divisible by 16.
17Multiply the last digit by 5 and subtract it from the rest. The result must be divisible by 17.
18The number is even and divisible by 9.
19Multiply the last digit by 2 and add it to the rest. The result must be divisible by 19.
20The number ends in 00, 20, 40, 60, or 80.

Divisibility Rules 1 to 20 Chart

Here is the list of key Divisibility Rules from 1 to 20:

2 to 20 Divisibility Rules

Download the PDF of printable chart to help you memorize Divisibility Rules from 2-20 anywhere, anytime from the link given below.

Why Should You Learn Divisibility Rules?

Today, competitive exams like SSC, Banking, CAT, and Railways require lightning-fast calculations.

  • Time Management: Solve simplification and number system problems in seconds.
  • Prime Factorization: Quickly break down large numbers into their factors.
  • Data Interpretation: Helps in simplifying ratios and percentages in DI sets.
  • Simplifying Fractions: Easily find the lowest terms of any fraction.

Basic Rules for Writing Roman Numerals

Follow these simple rules to write any number correctly:

  1. Rule of Three: You can repeat a symbol (I, X, C) up to three times in a row (e.g., 3 is III, 30 is XXX).
  2. Addition: If a smaller value is placed after a larger one, add them (e.g., XII = 10 + 2 = 12).
  3. Subtraction: If a smaller value is placed before a larger one, subtract it (e.g., IV = 5 – 1 = 4; XC = 100 – 10 = 90).
  4. Fixed Symbols: Symbols V and L are never repeated or used for subtraction.

Short Tricks to Remember Divisibility Rules Quickly

1. The Power of 2 Group (2, 4, 8, 16)
👉 Trick: Look at the end of the number.
  • 2: Last 1 digit.
  • 4: Last 2 digits.
  • 8: Last 3 digits.
  • 16: Last 4 digits.
2. The Sum of Digits Group (3 and 9)
👉 Trick: Just add the digits.
  • For 3, the sum must be in the table of 3.
  • For 9, the sum must be in the table of 9.
  • Example: 729 → 7+2+9=18. Divisible by both 3 and 9!
3. The Composite Rule (6, 12, 14, 15)
👉 Trick: If a number is divisible by two co-prime factors, it is divisible by their product.
  • 6 = 2 × 3
  • 12 = 3 × 4
  • 15 = 3 × 5
4. The 7, 11, and 13 Trick
👉 Trick: For larger numbers, group digits in threes from right to left and find the alternating sum. If the result is divisible by 7, 11, or 13, the whole number is too.

Some Fun Facts About Divisibility

  1. Number 0: Zero is divisible by every number (except zero itself).
  2. Number 1: 1 is not divisible by any number other than itself.
  3. Perfect Rule for 7: The rule for 7 is often considered the “hardest,” but the subtraction method makes it simple for smaller numbers.

Uses of Divisibility Rules in Real Life

  • Budgeting: Checking if a total amount can be split evenly among a group of people.
  • Logistics: Determining how many items can fit into boxes of a certain size.
  • Coding: Used in computer algorithms to check for parity and data validation.
  • Cooking: Scaling recipes up or down by finding common denominators.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Understanding the rules is the key to reading and writing Roman numerals correctly.

Mistake 1

Checking the entire number instead of only the last two digits for divisibility by 4.
✔ Correct:
For 1,516, check 16, not 1516.

Mistake 2

Forgetting that 6 requires divisibility by both 2 and 3.
Many students only check one rule.

Mistake 3

Thinking every number ending in 5 is divisible by 15.
Wrong.
It must satisfy both:

  • Divisible by 3
  • Divisible by 5
Mistake 4

Using the divisibility rule of 3 for 9.
Remember:
For 9, the digit sum must be a multiple of 9, not just 3.

Mistake 5

Ignoring the alternating sum rule for 11.
Always calculate:
(Odd-position digit sum) − (Even-position digit sum)

2 to 20 Divisibility Rules Infographics

Final Tips

  • Practice Daily: Pick 5 random large numbers every morning and test them against rules for 3, 4, 7, and 11.
  • Combine Rules: To check for 18, check if it’s even (Rule for 2) and if the sum of digits is divisible by 9.
  • Use Elimination: In MCQs, use these rules to eliminate wrong options instantly.

Conclusion

Mastering Divisibility Rules from 1 to 20 is like having a superpower in a math exam. It eliminates the need for messy scratch work and builds your confidence with numbers. Start practicing these rules today and watch your calculation speed double!

Quick Facts About Divisibility Rules
Question / CategoryAnswer / Fact
Easiest Rules to MasterRules for 2, 5, and 10 (based on the last digit).
Rules based on Sum of DigitsRules for 3 and 9.
Rules based on Last DigitsRules for 2 (last 1), 4 (last 2), 8 (last 3), and 16 (last 4).
The “Hardest” RuleRule for 7 is generally considered the most complex to perform mentally.
Divisibility of Zero (0)Zero is divisible by every number (except itself).
Universal DivisorEvery integer is divisible by 1.
Composite Number RuleTo check 6, 12, or 15, the number must satisfy the rules of its co-prime factors.
The Alternating Sum RuleThis unique method is used specifically for the Rule of 11.
Smallest number divisible by 1-102,520 is the smallest number divisible by all numbers from 1 to 10.
Rule for 5 vs 10Numbers divisible by 10 are always divisible by 5, but not vice versa.
Some Important Links
Download Divisibility Rules 2 to 20 PDF Click Here
Download Roman Numerals 1 to 100 PDF Click Here
Download Composite Numbers 1 to 1000 PDF Click Here
Download Prime Numbers 1 to 1000 PDF Click Here
Download 1 to 30 Cube Roots List (Perfect Cubes) PDF Click Here
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Divisibility Rules from 2 to 20

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