Divisibility Rules: Is Every Multiple of 6 Also a Multiple of 3?

Question

Will a number divisible by 6 necessarily be divisible by 3?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine whether a number divisible by 6 is necessarily divisible by 3, we need to understand the properties of divisibility for the numbers involved.

Let's analyze the problem step by step:

  • Step 1: Restate the Problem
    We need to find out if any number that is divisible by 6 is also divisible by 3.
  • Step 2: Identify Key Information and Variables
    - A number is divisible by 6 if it can be expressed as k×6 k \times 6 for any integer k k .
    - We want to check if such a number is also divisible by 3, meaning it can also be expressed as m×3 m \times 3 for some integer m m .
  • Step 3: Relevant Theorems
    - A number is divisible by 6 if it is divisible by both 2 and 3.
  • Step 4: Choose Approach
    We'll use the divisibility rules for numbers to deduce if a number divisible by 6 must be divisible by 3.
  • Step 5: Steps for Solution
    1. Given a number is divisible by 6, it is expressed as a multiple of 6: n=k×6 n = k \times 6 .
    2. Since 6 can be factored into 2×3 2 \times 3 , a number divisible by 6 is also divisible by 3.
    3. Therefore, n=k×6=k×(2×3)=(k×2)×3 n = k \times 6 = k \times (2 \times 3) = (k \times 2) \times 3 , making it divisible by 3.
  • Step 6: Assumptions
    We assume the integer k k is any integer and does not affect the general proof.
  • Step 7: Conclusion
    Every number divisible by 6 is necessarily divisible by both 2 and 3, due to the factorization properties of numbers. Thus, by the rules of divisibility, a number divisible by 6 is necessarily divisible by 3.

Therefore, the answer to the problem is Yes.

Answer

Yes