# Math Help - Show that pos int divisible by 3 iff sum of digits divisible by 3

1. ## Show that pos int divisible by 3 iff sum of digits divisible by 3

Show that a positive integer is divisible by 3 iff the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

This is from Rosen but I can't follow the proof in the solutions manual (again). Section 3.6 problem 29.

Please explain the detail so I'll understand the whole process.

2. Originally Posted by oldguynewstudent
Show that a positive integer is divisible by 3 iff the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

This is from Rosen but I can't follow the proof in the solutions manual (again). Section 3.6 problem 29.

Please explain the detail so I'll understand the whole process.
What part of the proof eludes you?

3. Suppose $n = a_0 + a_{1}10+ a_{2}10^{2} + \cdots + a_{n} 10^n$.

Consider $s = a_0 + \cdots a_n$ and look at n-s.

4. Originally Posted by Drexel28
What part of the proof eludes you?
Since 10 $\equiv$ 1 (mod 3) we have a $\equiv$ $a_n$ $_-$ $_1$ + ... + $a_1$ + $a_0$ (mod 3). Therefore a $\equiv$ 0 (mod 3) iff the sum of the digits is congruent to 0 (mod 3).

I don't follow the part we have a $\equiv$ sum (mod 3).

Is this because 10 to any power divided by 3 has a 1 remainder? Then a divided by 3 leaves the sum of the digits?

I just now saw this relationship. The solutions manual assumes this is intuitively obvious, I guess.

5. Let $x = \sum _{i=0} ^n a_i 10^i$.

Suppose $3 | x$ then $0 \equiv x \equiv \sum _{i=0} ^n a_i {10} ^n \equiv \sum _{i=0} ^n a_i {1} ^n \bmod{3}$

6. ## Re: Show that pos int divisible by 3 iff sum of digits divisible by 3

Let a number be abc
= 100a + 10b + c
= 99a + 9b + a + b + c
99a and 9 b are divisible by 3
so (a + b + c) must be divisible by 3.
so (a + b + c) is sum of digits must be divisible by 3.
---