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SSC CHSL Divisibility Rules

Study Material — 1 PYQs (2018–2018) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

SSC CHSL Divisibility Rules is a frequently tested subtopic — 1 previous year questions from 2018–2018 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

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Previous Year Questions

SSC CHSL Divisibility Rules — Past Exam Questions

1 questions from actual SSC CHSL papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12018Previous Year Pattern

A number is divisible by both 4 and 9. Which of the following is definitely true about this number?

Concept Notes

Divisibility Rules— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Key Divisibility Rules

Rule for 2: A number is divisible by 2 if its last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)

Rule for 3

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3

Example

234 → 2+3+4 = 9, which is divisible by 3

Rule for 4

A number is divisible by 4 if its last two digits form a number divisible by 4

Example

1316 → 16 is divisible by 4

Rule for 5

A number is divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5

Rule for 6

A number is divisible by 6 if it's divisible by both 2 and 3

Rule for 8

A number is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number divisible by 8

Rule for 9

A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9

Rule for 11

A number is divisible by 11 if the alternating sum of its digits is divisible by 11.

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL frequently asks direct divisibility questions, number of factors problems, and divisibility in data sufficiency questions. Questions often combine multiple rules or ask for remainders. Shortcut for 11: Instead of alternating sum, use this trick - for any 4-digit number abcd, calculate (a+c)-(b+d). If result is 0 or divisible by 11, the number is divisible by 11.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Apply alternating sum rule Start from right: 3 - 7 + 8 - 4 = 0

2
Step 2

Since the result is 0, which is divisible by 11, the number 4873 is divisible by 11. Verification: 4873 ÷ 11 = 443 (exact division) Alternate method using shortcut: (4+7) - (8+3) = 11 - 11 = 0 Since result is 0, number is divisible by 11. Advanced Trick: For checking divisibility by 7, 11, 13 simultaneously, divide the number into groups of 3 digits from right. Apply alternating sum. If divisible by 7, 11, or 13, the original number follows the same divisibility.

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

Students often confuse the divisibility rule for 4 with checking only the last digit. Remember, you need to check the last TWO digits, not just one. Also, for rule of 11, maintain the correct alternating pattern - start from the rightmost digit. Practice Tip: Create a mental checklist of these rules.

In exams, quickly eliminate options using these rules rather than performing lengthy divisions.

Key Points to Remember

  • Divisibility by 2: last digit must be even (0,2,4,6,8)
  • Divisibility by 3: sum of all digits must be divisible by 3
  • Divisibility by 4: last two digits must form a number divisible by 4
  • Divisibility by 5: number must end in 0 or 5
  • Divisibility by 6: number must be divisible by both 2 and 3
  • Divisibility by 9: sum of all digits must be divisible by 9
  • Divisibility by 11: alternating sum of digits must be divisible by 11
  • Divisibility by 8: last three digits must form a number divisible by 8

Exam-Specific Tips

  • A number divisible by both 4 and 9 is always divisible by 36
  • For divisibility by 12, the number must be divisible by both 3 and 4
  • The divisibility rule for 7 involves grouping digits in threes from right and applying alternating sum
  • Any number divisible by 8 is automatically divisible by 2 and 4
  • The sum of digits rule works for 3 and 9 because 10 ≡ 1 (mod 3) and 10 ≡ 1 (mod 9)
  • For divisibility by 25, the last two digits must be 00, 25, 50, or 75
  • A number is divisible by 15 if it's divisible by both 3 and 5
  • The alternating sum for 11 works because 10 ≡ -1 (mod 11)
Practice MCQs

Divisibility Rules — Practice Questions

18graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

Which of the following numbers is divisible by 11?

Practice 2easy

A number leaves remainder 2 when divided by 5. Which of the following could be the last digit of this number?

Practice 3easy

A number is divisible by both 4 and 6. Which of the following must also divide this number?

Practice 4easy

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. How many of the following numbers are divisible by 3? 2145, 3267, 4582, 5931

Practice 5easy

A number is divisible by 3 and 8. What is the smallest such number greater than 100?

Practice 6easy

Which of the following numbers is divisible by both 6 and 8?

Practice 7easy

A number when divided by 11 leaves remainder 7. Which of the following could be that number?

Practice 8medium

A number when divided by 12 leaves remainder 7. What remainder will it leave when divided by 4?

Practice 9medium

A five-digit number 3a4b2 is divisible by 4 and 11. What is the value of a + b?

Practice 10medium

A number is divisible by 12. Which statement must be true?

Practice 11medium

A number is divisible by both 8 and 9. Which of the following is definitely true about this number?

Practice 12medium

How many three-digit numbers are divisible by 6 but NOT divisible by 5?

Practice 13medium

A number is formed by writing digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in some order. How many such five-digit numbers are divisible by 4?

Practice 14medium

A five-digit number 3a7b2 is divisible by 8. If a = 2, what is the sum of all possible values of b?

Practice 15hard

A number N is such that when divided by 15, it leaves remainder 8, and when divided by 24, it leaves remainder 5. What is the remainder when N is divided by 120?

Practice 16hard

A number when divided by 12 leaves remainder 7. When the same number is divided by 18, what is the remainder?

Practice 17hard

How many numbers between 1000 and 2000 are divisible by both 7 and 11, but NOT divisible by 13?

Practice 18hard

A six-digit number 5a7b8c is divisible by 11. If a + b + c = 15, then how many such numbers exist?

60-Second Revision — Divisibility Rules

  • Remember: Check last digit for 2 and 5, last two digits for 4, last three digits for 8
  • Formula: Sum of digits rule applies to 3 and 9 only
  • Trick: For 11, use alternating sum starting from rightmost digit
  • Pattern: Composite divisibility requires checking all prime factors
  • Trap: Don't confuse divisibility by 4 (last two digits) with divisibility by 2 (last digit)
  • Speed tip: Use elimination method in MCQs by applying easiest rules first
  • Quick check: For 6, 12, 15 - always verify both component divisibilities
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