Finding 10-Digit Numbers with Divisibility Rules

In summary, In base 8, the numbers are 0123456789. Numbers in brackets refer to the corresponding condition, e.g. (1) is "1 divides a1". From (3) and (6), we get that ##a_4+5+a_6## is divisible by 3. If a_4=2, then a_6=8. In addition, a_8=6, and therefore a_2=4. I will call this case A. If a_4=6, then a_6=4. In addition, a_8=2, and therefore a_2=8. I will call this case B. Case A: X4X
  • #1
micromass
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Find all 10-digit numbers ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6a_7a_8a_9a_{10}## (for example, if ##a_1= 0##, ##a_2## = 1, ##a_3 = 2## and so on, we get the number 0123456789), such that all the following hold:

- The numbers ##a_1,~a_2,~a_3,~a_4,~a_5,~a_6,~a_7,~a_8,~a_9,~a_{10}## are all distinct
- 1 divides ##a_1##
- 2 divides ##a_1a_2##
- 3 divides ##a_1a_2a_3##
- 4 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4##
- 5 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5##
- 6 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6##
- 7 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6a_7##
- 8 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6a_7a_8##
- 9 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6a_7a_8a_9##
- 10 divides ##a_1a_2a_3a_4a_5a_6a_7a_8a_9a_{10}##

If you find this too easy: generalize this to to other bases.
 
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  • #2
*blank stare*

Is this a joke?
 
  • #3
Gad said:
*blank stare*

Is this a joke?

Do you find it funny?
 
  • #4
micromass said:
Do you find it funny?

:rofl:
 
  • #5
Clearly we must have ##a_{10} = 0## and ##a_5 = 5##.

##a_2, a_4, a_6, a_8## are all even, so they must be 2,4,6,8 in some order.

Therefore, because we can't re-use digits, ##a_1, a_3, a_7, a_9## must be 1,3,7,9 in some order.

Since ##a_3## is odd, the constraint that 4 divides ##a_1 a_2 a_3 a_4## implies that ##a_4## must be 2 or 6.

Similarly, since ##a_7## is odd, the constraint that 8 divides ##a_1 a_2 a_3 a_4 a_5 a_6 a_7 a_8## implies that ##a_8## must be 2 or 6.

Therefore, ##a_4## and ##a_8## must be 2 and 6 in some order.

It follows that ##a_2## and ##a_6## must be 4 and 8 in some order.

I would continue but it's making me tired.
 
  • #6
micromass said:
Do you find it funny?


I'm questioning how well educated you are?

:biggrin:
 
  • #7
Extending jbunniii's analysis:
Numbers in brackets refer to the corresponding condition, e.g. (1) is "1 divides a1".
From (3) and (6), we get that ##a_4+5+a_6## is divisible by 3.
If a_4=2, then a_6=8. In addition, a_8=6, and therefore a_2=4. I will call this case A.
If a_4=6, then a_6=4. In addition, a_8=2, and therefore a_2=8. I will call this case B.

Case A: X4X258X6X0
Case B: X8X654X2X0

This allows a better analysis of (8): We know that a_6 is even, so a_7=1 mod 4 (case A) // a_7=3 mod 4 (case B).
Case A: a_7=1 or a_7=9
Case B: a_7=3 or a_7=7

Using (9) and (6) (where (9) is trivial after (10) was used), ##a_7+a_8+a_9## is divisible by 3.
Case A: One out of (1,7) and 9 is used for a_7 and a_9.
Case B: 7 cannot be used, so a_7=3 and a_9=1.

Case B: X8X6543210
Well... we just have (7) left to analyze, but none of the two remaining options lead to a solution. Too bad, would have given a nice pattern!

So we have to split case A into subcases:

AA: a_7=1, a_9=9
AB: a_7=9, a_9=1
AC: a_7=9, a_9=7

Looking at (7) again, we get
3472581690 as the only solution
This line increases the spoiler size so it is not obvious to see that there is just one solution.
Some steps towards a generalization:
The last digit is always zero, and the first condition is always true.
The sum of all digits in base b is b(b-1)/2, this is divisible by (b-1) for even b only. Therefore, no odd base has a solution. In even bases, (b-1) is trivially satisfied. The even/odd split for the numbers is true in all (even!) bases.

base 2 gives 10 as trivial solution.
base 4 has only trivial conditions, and both 1230 and 3210 are solutions.
base 6 gives 143250 and 543210 as solutions.
base 8: after evaluating (4) and (6), I get xxx4xx30.
Edit: With ugly casework, I get 16547230, 72145630, 76541230 for base 8.
 
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  • #8
mfb, you have mistakes...
347 is not divided by 3 for example


The answer is:
Base 2: 10
Base 4: 1230, 3210
Base 6: 143250, 543210
Base 8: 32541670, 52347610, 56743210
Base 10: 3816547290
Base 14: 9C3A5476B812D0

I am not sure, but it looks like no other base has any solution.
 
  • #9
Oh, I messed up the combination of (9) and (6) in both cases.

I can confirm your solutions up to base 14.
My python hack is too slow to search for solutions beyond base 16.
 

What are divisibility rules and why are they important for finding 10-digit numbers?

Divisibility rules are a set of mathematical rules that determine whether a number is divisible by another number without having to perform division. They are important for finding 10-digit numbers because they allow us to quickly identify potential candidates that can be evenly divided by a given number.

What are the divisibility rules for 2, 3, 5, and 9?

The divisibility rule for 2 is that if the last digit of a number is even, then the entire number is divisible by 2. For 3, if the sum of the digits is divisible by 3, then the number is divisible by 3. For 5, if the last digit is either 0 or 5, then the number is divisible by 5. And for 9, if the sum of the digits is divisible by 9, then the number is divisible by 9.

How can divisibility rules help us find 10-digit numbers with specific properties?

Divisibility rules can help us identify numbers that meet certain criteria, such as being divisible by a specific number. For example, if we are looking for a 10-digit number that is divisible by 7, we can use the divisibility rule for 7 (subtract twice the last digit from the remaining digits, and if the result is divisible by 7, then the entire number is divisible by 7) to quickly narrow down potential candidates.

What is the process for using divisibility rules to find 10-digit numbers?

The process for using divisibility rules to find 10-digit numbers involves first identifying the specific properties or criteria that the number must meet. Then, we use the appropriate divisibility rules to narrow down potential candidates. Finally, we check each candidate by performing the division to confirm that it is indeed divisible by the given number.

Are there any limitations or exceptions to using divisibility rules for finding 10-digit numbers?

While divisibility rules are helpful for quickly identifying potential candidates, they are not foolproof and may not work for all numbers. Additionally, there may be cases where a number appears to meet a certain criteria but does not satisfy the divisibility rule. In these cases, it is important to double check by performing division to confirm the divisibility.

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