Number Theory

Number Theory is a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of integers. Topics include prime numbers, divisibility, congruences (modular arithmetic), Diophantine equations, and functions of integers. Questions often require analytical and creative thinking about numbers.

• Cards with Digits

  Rachel has three cards with different digits, all of which are greater than 0. Rachel formed all possible three-digit numbers from these cards and calculated their sum.
  Prove that the sum is divisible by 3

  Topics:

  Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rules by 3 and 9 Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Proof and Example
  Sources:
  • Young Mathematician Olympiad, 2019-2020, Final, Grades 3-4 Question 6
  • Young Mathematician Olympiad, 2019-2020, Final, Grades 5-6 Question 5

• Question

  The numbers from 1 to `10^9` (inclusive) are written on the board. The numbers divisible by 3 are written in red, and the rest of the numbers are written in blue. The sum of all the red numbers is equal to `X`, and the sum of all the blue numbers is equal to `Y`. Which number is larger, `2X` or `Y`, and by how much?

  Topics:

  Arithmetic Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rules by 3 and 9 Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Algebra -> Sequences Algebra -> Inequalities -> Averages / Means Number Theory -> Division
  Sources:
  • Beno Arbel Olympiad, 2017, Grade 8 Question 2

• THE BARREL OF BEER

  A man bought an odd lot of wine in barrels and one barrel containing beer. These are shown in the illustration, marked with the number of gallons that each barrel contained. He sold a quantity of the wine to one man and twice the quantity to another, but kept the beer to himself. The puzzle is to point out which barrel contains beer. Can you say which one it is? Of course, the man sold the barrels just as he bought them, without manipulating in any way the contents.
  Topics:

  Arithmetic Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rules by 3 and 9 Algebra -> Word Problems Logic -> Reasoning / Logic
  Sources:
  • Amusements in Mathematics, Henry Ernest Dudeney Question 76

• DIGITAL DIVISION

  It is another good puzzle so to arrange the nine digits (the nought excluded) into two groups so that one group when divided by the other produces a given number without remainder. For example, `1` `3` `4` `5` `8` divided by `6` `7` `2` `9` gives `2`. Can the reader find similar arrangements producing `3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8`, and `9` respectively? Also, can he find the pairs of smallest possible numbers in each case? Thus, `1` `4` `6` `5` `8` divided by `7` `3` `2` `9` is just as correct for `2` as the other example we have given, but the numbers are higher.
  Topics:

  Arithmetic Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rules by 3 and 9 Number Theory -> Division
  Sources:
  • Amusements in Mathematics, Henry Ernest Dudeney Question 88

• SLV LVS BLS

  In the following expression, different letters represent different digits, and identical letters represent identical digits:

  SLV = LVS + BLS

  Find the number SLV.

  Topics:

  Arithmetic Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rule by 11 Algebra -> Equations Combinatorics -> Case Analysis / Checking Cases -> Processes / Procedures Puzzles and Rebuses -> Reconstruct the Exercise / Cryptarithmetic
  Sources:
  • Young Mathematician Olympiad, 2019-2020, Stage B, Grades 5-6 Question 3

• Question

  Find the largest natural number in which all digits are distinct, and if you look at every 3 consecutive digits, you get a number divisible by 13.

  Topics:

  Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rule by 11 Combinatorics -> Case Analysis / Checking Cases -> Processes / Procedures
  Sources:
  • Beno Arbel Olympiad, 2017, Grade 8 Question 7

• THE MYSTIC ELEVEN

  Can you find the largest possible number containing any nine of the ten digits (calling nought a digit) that can be divided by `11` without a remainder? Can you also find the smallest possible number produced in the same way that is divisible by `11`? Here is an example, where the digit `5` has been omitted: `896743012`. This number contains nine of the digits and is divisible by `11`, but it is neither the largest nor the smallest number that will work.

  Topics:

  Arithmetic Number Theory -> Modular Arithmetic / Remainder Arithmetic -> Divisibility Rules -> Divisibility Rule by 11
  Sources:
  • Amusements in Mathematics, Henry Ernest Dudeney Question 93

• Question

  In Danny's class there are `30` students. Danny claims that the number of boys is greater by `3` than the number of girls. Is it possible that Danny is right?

  Topics:

  Arithmetic Algebra -> Equations Algebra -> Word Problems Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd)

• Question

  On the circle, there are blue and red points. It is allowed to add a red point and change the colors of its neighboring points or remove a red point and change the colors of its neighboring points (it is not allowed to leave fewer than 2 points on the circle). Prove that it is impossible to move, using only these operations, from a circle with two red points to a circle with two blue points.
  K. Kaznvosky

  Topics:

  Combinatorics -> Combinatorial Geometry Combinatorics -> Invariants Algebra Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd) Set Theory Combinatorics -> Case Analysis / Checking Cases -> Processes / Procedures Combinatorics -> Colorings -> Chessboard Coloring
  Sources:
  • Tournament of Towns, 1979-1980, Main, Spring Question 1

• Question

  Is it possible to tile a `5xx5` board with dominoes?

  Note: The size of a board square matches the size of a domino square.

  Topics:

  Combinatorics -> Combinatorial Geometry Logic -> Reasoning / Logic Number Theory -> Division -> Parity (Even/Odd) Combinatorics -> Colorings -> Chessboard Coloring