Divisibility

Given any 3 digit number you can use the given digits and name another number which is divisible by 37 (e.g. given 628 you say 628371 is divisible by 37 because you know that 6+3 = 2+7 = 8+1 = 9). The question asks you to explain the trick.

Chocolate bars come in boxes of 5 or boxes of 12. How many boxes do you need to have exactly 2005 chocolate bars?

Add powers of 3 and powers of 7 and get multiples of 11.

Each time a class lines up in different sized groups, a different number of people are left over. How large can the class be?

The nth term of a sequence is given by the formula n^3 + 11n. Find the first four terms of the sequence given by this formula and the first term of the sequence which is bigger than one million. Prove that all terms of the sequence are divisible by 6.

Choose any 3 digits and make a 6 digit number by repeating the 3 digits in the same order (e.g. 594594). Explain why whatever digits you choose the number will always be divisible by 7, 11 and 13.

What is the value of the digit A in the sum below: [3(230 + A)]^2 = 49280A

How many numbers less than 1000 are NOT divisible by either: a) 2 or 5; or b) 2, 5 or 7?

What is the remainder when 2^2002 is divided by 7? What happens with different powers of 2?

Lyndon chose this as one of his favourite problems. It is accessible but needs some careful analysis of what is included and what is not. A systematic approach is really helpful.