Let N be a number created by repeating any two identical three-digit strings. That is, N=ABCABC. For example, 123123, 023023, and 400400 are in the form.

Is it true or false that every such N is divisible by 13? If true, please explain. If not, provide a counter-example.

Respuesta :

Answer:

true

Step-by-step explanation:

there is a nice rule for when a number is divisible by 13 :

starting with the lowest digit value (the last on the right) form blocks of 3 digits as numbers and give them alternating signs (starting with +).

if the last block (the last on the left) has less than 3 digits, just use the remaining ones as a number.

add all these numbers (with their associated signs).

if the number calculated by this (alternative) sum is divisible by 13 then the original number is divisible by 13.

if N = abcdefghi, then (ghi - def + abc) must be divisible by 13, so that N is also divisible by 13.

in our case, N = abcabc.

the block calculation is therefore abc - abc = 0, which is always divisible by 13.

so, any number formed like this must be divisible by 13.

FYI - a quick look at why that is :

N = abcabc =

= a×10⁵ + b×10⁴ + c×10³ + a×10² + b×10 + c =

= a×(10⁵ + 10²) + b×(10⁴ + 10) + c (10³ + 1) =

= a×100100 + b×10010 + c×1001

define d = 1001 = 77×13

and we get

a×d×100 + b×d×10 + c×d

a sum is divisible by a number, if every summed up term is divisible by that number.

since d is a factor in every term, and d is divisible by 13, so is every term and therefore the whole number.

so, every number in the form of abcabc is divisible by 13.