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Which of the following is the largest digit?
9
1
3
0
1
Use the divisibility rule for 9: the sum of the digits must be a multiple of 9. Since 5+2+1=8, the next multiple of 9 is 9, so 8+k=9, giving k=1.
A 4-digit number 5k21 is divisible by 9, where k is an unknown digit.
Sum┬аof┬аdigits=5+k+2+1=8+k
Use the divisibility rule for 9: the sum of the digits must be a multiple of 9. Since 5+2+1=8, the next multiple of 9 is 9, so 8+k=9, giving k=1.
Many students forget that k must be a single digit (0-9) or miscalculate the sum of digits, leading to errors like assuming k=18.
Apply divisibility rule
A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is a multiple of 9. Here, the number is 5k21.
5+k+2+1=8+k
Find the multiple of 9
We need 8+k to be a multiple of 9. Since k is a single digit (0-9), the only possible value is 9.
8+k=9
Calculate k
Solving for k in the linear equation:
k=9тИТ8=1
B is correct because for the sum of digits 8+k to be divisible by 9, k must equal 1.
This rule is identical to the divisibility rule for 3 (sum of digits must be divisible by 3). Always check if you are looking for divisibility by 3 or 9 in similar problems.