Divisibility Rule of 159

The divisibility rule for 159 is a method by which we can find out if a number is divisible by 159 or not without using the division method. Check whether 4773 is divisible by 159 with the divisibility rule.  

Step 1: Multiply the last digit of the number by 9, here in 4773, 3 is the last digit, multiply it by 9. 3 × 9 = 27.  

Step 2: Subtract the result from Step 1 from the remaining values but do not include the last digit. i.e., 477–27 = 450.  

Step 3: If the result from Step 2 is a multiple of 159, then the number is divisible by 159. If the result isn't a multiple of 159, then the number isn't divisible by 159. Since 450 is not a multiple of 159, 4773 is not divisible by 159.
 

Learning the divisibility rule will help kids master division. Let’s learn a few tips and tricks for the divisibility rule of 159.
 

• Know the multiples of 159: Memorize the multiples of 159 (159, 318, 477...etc.) to quickly check for divisibility. If the result from the subtraction is a multiple of 159, then the number is divisible by 159.
   
• Use the negative numbers: If the result we get after the subtraction is negative, we will consider its absolute value for checking the divisibility of a number.
   
• Repeat the process for large numbers: Students should keep repeating the divisibility process until they reach a small number that is divisible by 159.
  
  For example: Check if 15918 is divisible by 159 using the divisibility test. Multiply the last digit by 9, i.e., 8 × 9 = 72.
  
  Subtract this result from the remaining digits excluding the last digit, 1591–72 = 1519. Repeat the process: Multiply the last digit by 9, i.e., 9 × 9 = 81.
  
  Now subtract 81 from the remaining numbers excluding the last digit, 151–81 = 70. Since 70 is not a multiple of 159, 15918 is not divisible by 159.
   
• Use the division method to verify: Students can use the division method as a way to verify and cross-check their results. This will help them verify and also learn.
   

• Divisibility Rule: The set of rules used to find out whether a number is divisible by another number or not. For example, a number is divisible by 2 if the number ends with an even number.
   
• Multiples: Multiples are the results obtained after multiplying a number by an integer. For example, multiples of 159 are 159, 318, 477,...
   
• Integers: Integers are the numbers that include all whole numbers, negative numbers, and zero.
   
• Subtraction: Subtraction is a process of finding the difference between two numbers, by reducing one number from another.
   
• Absolute Value: The non-negative value of a number without regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of -5 is 5.