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Unit Digit and Last two digits

Unit Digit : Unit digit represents the last digit of any given number or it is obtained by getting the
remainder when the given mathematical expression is divided by 10.
Example 1: Find the unit digit of N = 9382496,
Here N is a 7-digit number where 6 at the end represents the Unit digit. …Ans
Unit Digit of Powers of number:
Unit digit can also be found when the given expression is in terms of power to a number.
Base No.→ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Power ↓
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2 1 4 9 6 5 6 9 4 1
3 1 8 7 4 5 6 3 2 9
4 1 6 1 6 5 6 1 6 1
Note:
From the above table it can be inferred:
1. Any number raised to a power repeats itself after a power of 4. Thus every number has a cyclicity of 4
or less different digits as their unit digit. 21 = 2, 22 = 4, 23 = 8 & 24 = 16 and after that it starts repeating.
So, the cyclicity of 2 has 4 different numbers 2, 4, 8, 6.
Same is true for 3,7 and 8 as given in the table
2. 1𝑛 = 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑛. Same is true for 5 and 6.
3. 4 and 9 has a cyclicity of 2. i.e. 41 = 4, 42 = 6, 43 = 4 and so on.
Every number could be generally taken as having a cyclicity of 4 as far as unit digits are concerned for
simplicity.
Example 2: For the given expression (1023)127 , find the value of unit digit.
Unit can be found in following method:
Take unit digit of the base number which is 3. Now, 3127 . 3 has cyclicity of power 4 after that the powers
start repeating itself and yield the same no. Here, power 127 = 4 × 31 + 3. Thus, 3127 will be reduced to
33 . Thus, 33 = 27 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛(1023)127 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 7.
Ex.: (43287)845 = (7)4×211+1 = 71 = 7 will be the unit digit. … Ans
Unit Digit for multiplication of numbers:
𝑁 = 33 × 19 × 71 × 94 × 58 × 23, For the following expression the unit digit will be obtained by
dividing it by 10 and finding the remainder:
33 × 19 × 71 × 94 × 58 × 23 (+3) × (−1) × (+1) × (+4) × (−2) × (+3)
→
10 10
(−3) × (+4) × (−6) 72
→ → + → 𝑅 = +2
10 10
Thus, 2 will be the unit digit of given expression.
Alternatively, Unit digit can also be found by multiplying the last digits of the given expression
𝑁 = 33 × 19 × 71 × 94 × 58 × 23.
Here, 3 × 9 × 1 × 4 × 8 × 3 = 27 × 4 × 24 = 28 × 24 = 8 × 4 = 32 → 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡 = 2

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Unit Digit of a factorial of a number:

Example 3: Find the unit digit of 724!
We know that the value of
1! = 1
2! = 2
3! = 6
4! = 24
5! = 120
6! = 720
Since unit digit of 5! = 0, thus factorial of any number >= 5 will also have it’s unit digit as zero as 5! is
always multiplied in any higher number factorial
Thus, unit digit of 724! = 0. …Ans

Unit Digit of powers of a power:

25
Example 4: Find the unit digit o𝑓 2324
Since 23 is the base number so we can treat 3 as the base
Since 3 has a cyclicity of 4, so we have to divide the power by 4 and check its nature.
Now Power is 2425
Since 24 is completely divisible by 4, then 2425 will also by divisible by 4.
Thus the power is of the form 4k and we know 34k = 34 = 1 (unit digit)…Ans

Also, when powers are given in factorial, then the unit digit of the expression is calculated as following:
Example 5: Find the unit digit of (3648)283! ,
It can be clearly seen that power 283! is in the form of 4k (As 4 is one of the multiplicative quantity in any
number’s factorial that is greater than 4). Thus, 283! Will be equivalent to the power of 4.
Unit digit = 84 = 4096 = 6 …Ans

Last Two Digits:

The last two digits represent the last two digits at the end of any given number or it is obtained by getting
the remainder when the given mathematical expression is divided by 100.
Ex.: N = 9382496, Here N is a 7-digit number where 96 at the end represents the last two digits.
Similarly, 𝑁 = 28 × 19 × 71 × 96 × 58 × 23, For the following expression the last two digits will be
obtained by dividing it by 100 and finding the remainder:
28 × 19 × 71 × 96 × 58 × 23 28 × 19 × 71 × 24 × 58 × 23
𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠
100 25
(+3) × (−6) × (−4) × (−1) × (+8) × (−2) (72) × (16) (−3) × (−9)
→ →
25 25 25
+27
→ → 𝑅 = +2
25
But we simplified the given expression by dividing the numerator and the denominator by 4. Thus, we
have to multiply it by 4. So, R = +2 × 4 = +8 or 08 which represents the last two digits of the given
expression.
Last two digits of number ending with 1,3,7 and 9:
For such number we have to make the unit digit = 1 and then the trick is explained in the example below

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Example 6: Find last two digits of (238641)386

Clearly the last digit here is 1
For ten’s digit we need to multiply the 2nd last digit of the base with the last digit of power.
Here (238641)386 that would be 4x6 = 24
And the last digit of that product is the ten’s digit of the expression = 4
So the last two digits for the given expression is 41 …. Ans

Now for 3, 7 and 9 :

We have to successively take squares until the last digit becomes 1 and then find the last two digits
31 = 3, 32 = 9, 33 = 27, 34 = 81
71 = 7, 72 = 49, 72 = 343, 74 = 2401
91 = 9, 92 = 81
Example 7: Find the last two digits of (17)263
As mentioned above 74 has unit digit 1. So
So we first need to find the last two digits of 174
172 = 289
Last two digits of 174 = 892 = 7921
Now 17263 = 174x65 + 3 = 174x65 x 173
Considering only last 2 digits 17
174x65 x 173 = 2165 x 173
= 01 x 13 = 13

Last two digits of number ending with 2, 4, 6 and 8:

We know
2=2
4 = 22
6=2x3
And 8 = 23
So once we establish the method to find last two digits of the number ending with two, we can follow the
rest of numbers using the above relation by breaking the number in simpler prime factors.
21=02, 22 = 04, 23 = 08, 24 = 16 ………… 210 = 1024
220 = (210)2 = 76 as last two digits
Again 230 = (210)3 = 24 as last two digits
Thus for 2 after every power of 10 the last two digits become 24 and 76 alternatively
i.e.
Last two digits of following expression
(210)odd = 24
(210)even = 76

Example 8: Find the last two digits of (54)283

54 = 2 x 33
So (54)283 = (2 x 33)283 = 2283 x 3849 = (210)84 x 23 x 8170 + 33
Considering only last two digits, we get (210)84 x 23 x 8170 + 33 = 76x08x01x27 = 16416
Hence last two digits are 16.

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For numbers ending with 5:

Tens digit of number or base Units digit of power Last two digits
Even Even 25
Even Odd 25
Odd Even 25
Odd Odd 75

Example 8: Find last two digit of 32673531

As ten’s digit of base is 3 (odd) and unit digit of power is 1(odd)
So last two digits are 75

Divisibility Theorem:
Divisibility rules:
1. Divisibility by 1: All the integers are divisible by 1.
2. Divisibility by 2: A number is said to be divisible by 2 when the last digit of the given number is even i.e.
0, 2, 4, 6, 8.
Example 1: 68, 484, 89232, 5820, 1446 all numbers are divisible by 2.
3. Divisibility by 3: A number is divisible by 3 when the sum of all the digits of the given number is either
3 or a multiple of 3.
Example 2: Check whether 78342 is divisible by 3 or not.
Solution:
Sum of the digits of 78342 = 7 + 8 + 3 + 4 + 2 = 24. Here, 24 is clearly a multiple of 3. Thus, the given
number 78342 will be exactly divisible by 3.

Example 3: Check whether 27353 is divisible by 3 or not.

Solution:
Sum of the digits of 27353 = 2 + 7 + 3 + 5 + 3 = 20. Here, 20 is clearly not a multiple of 3. Thus, the given
number 27353 will not be divisible by 3.

4. Divisibility by 4: A number is divisible by 4 when the last two digits of the given number is divisible by 4
or any multiple of 4.
Example 4: Check whether 482 is divisible by 4 or not.
Solution:
Consider last two digits of 482, which is 82. Here, 82 is not divisible by 4 or multiple of 4. Thus, 482 is not
divisible by 4.

Example 5: Check whether 378244 is divisible by 4 or not.

Solution:
Consider last two digits of 378244, which is 44. Here, 44 is divisible by 4 or in other words 44 is a multiple
of 4. Thus, 378244 is divisible by 4.

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5. Divisibility by 5: : A number is divisible by 5 when the last digit of the given number is either 0 or 5.
Example 6: Check whether 5795 is divisible by 5 or not.
Solution:
Here, the last digit of the given number is 5. Thus, 5795 is divisible by 5.

Example 7: Check whether 8732 is divisible by 5 or not.

Solution:
Here, the last digit of the given number is 2. Thus, 8732 is not divisible by 5.
We can also verify this by dividing 8732 by 5 which will leave 2 as remainder. Thus, 8732 is not divisible
by 5.

6. Divisibility by 6: : A number is divisible by 6 when the given number is both 2 and 3 as 6 = 2 x 3.

Example 8: Check whether 27498 is divisible by 6 or not.
Solution:
Here, 27498 is exactly divisible by 2 as the last digit of the given number is even.
Also, Sum of the digits of 27498 = 2+7+4+9+8 = 30 which is divisible by 3. Thus, 27498 is also divisible by
3.
Since 27498 is divisible by both 2 and 3, the given number 27498 will be divisible by 6.

7. Divisibility by 7:
There are various methods to find divisibility by 7 for any given number. These are as following:
a. Step 1: First form pairs of three-three digits from the right end of the given number.
Step 2: Now add all the alternating pairs at odd places and even places simultaneously and find the
difference between them. If the number obtained is exactly divided by 7 then the given number is said to
be divisible by 7.

Example 9: Check whether 57498 is divisible by 7 or not.

Solution:
Step 1: Form pairs of three-three digits from the right end.
Thus, 57498 is written as 057 498 (Add 0’s in the beginning of the number if necessary)
Step 2: Since only two such are available here. Simply go for the difference between them.
Difference = 498 – 057 = 441. Now check if 441 is divided by 7 or not.
Here, 441 is exactly divisible by 7. So, the given number 57498 will also be divisible by 7.

Example 10: Check whether 92384623 is divisible by 7 or not.

Solution:
Step 1: Form pairs of three-three digits from the right end.
Thus, 92384623 is written as 092 384 623 (Add 0’s in the beginning of the number if necessary)
Step 2: Now add all the alternating pairs at odd places and even places simultaneously and find the
difference between them.
Sum of pairs at odd places = 092 + 623 = 715
Sum of pairs at even places = 384
Now, Difference = 715 – 384 = 331. Now check if 331 is divided by 7 or not.
Here, 331 is not exactly divisible by 7. So, the given number 92384623 will not be divisible by 7.

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b. Subtract 2 times of digit at the right end from the rest of the number and repeat the process. Then
check if the obtained number is divisible by 7 or not. If yes then the given number will be divisible by 7
otherwise not.
Example 11: Check whether 57498 is divisible by 7 or not.
Solution:
2 times the last digit from the right end = 2 x 8 = 16
Subtract it from the rest of the number which is 5749.
Thus, 5749 – 16 = 5733
Again, 574 – (2x9) = 556
Again, 55 – (2x6)= 43
Now check 43 is divisible by 7 or not.
Since, 43 is not exactly divisible by 7 then the given number 57498 will not be divisible by 7.

8. Divisibility by 8: A number is divisible by 8 when the last three digits of the given number is divisible by
8 or any multiple of 8.
Example 12: Check whether 274432 is divisible by 8 or not.
Solution:
Here, we consider last three digits of the given number.
So, when 432 is divided by 8, it gives zero as remainder which means that 432 is completely divisible by 8.
Hence 274432 will also be completely divisible by 8.

9. Divisibility by 9: A number is divisible by 9 when the sum of all the digits of the given number is divisible
by 9 or a multiple of 9.
Example 13: Check whether 873477 is divisible by 9 or not.
Solution:
Sum of the digits = 8+7+3+4+7+7 = 36
Since 36 is a multiple of 9 or is completely divisible by 9 then the given number 873477 will be exactly
divisible by 9.

10. Divisibility by 10: Since 10 can be broken down into 2 multiplied by 5. So, any number that is divisible
by 2 and 5 simultaneously will also be divisible by 10. Or if the last digit is 0 then the given number will be
exactly divisible by 10.
Example 14:
18720 is divisible by 10 (As it is divisible by both 2 and 5).
But 39235 is not divisible by 10 because it is completely divisible by 5 but not by 2.

11. Divisibility by 11: The divisibility rule of 11 is as following:

Step 1: Find the sum of the digits at odd places and even places.
Step 2: Find the difference between the sums. Check whether the result is 0 or 11 or a multiple of 11. If
yes then the given number will be exactly divisible by 11.

Example 15: Check whether 873477 is divisible by 11 or not.

Solution:
Step 1: Sum of the digits at odd places = 8+3+7 = 18

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Sum of the digits at even places = 7+4+7 = 18

Step 2: Difference between the sums = 18 – 18 = 0
Since the result is 0. The given number 873477 will be exactly divisible by 11.

12. Divisibility by 12: We can see that 12 is obtained by 3 multiplied by 4. So, for a number to be divisible
by 12, it has to be exactly divisible by 3 and 4 simultaneously.

13. Divisibility by 13: The divisibility of a number by 13 is determined as following:

Step 1: First form pairs of three-three digits from the right end of the given number.
Step 2: Now add all the alternating pairs at odd places and even places simultaneously and find the
difference between them.
Step 3: Now multiply the last digit of the obtained difference with 4 and add it to rest of the number.
Step 4: If the result is 0 or 13 or a multiple of 13, then the given number will be divisible by 13 otherwise
not.

Example 16: Check whether 27364672 is divisible by 13 or not.

Solution:
Step 1: First form pairs of three-three digits from the right end of the given number.
Thus, 27364672 can be written as 027 364 672
Step 2: Now add all the alternating pairs at odd places and even places simultaneously and find the
difference between them.
Difference = (027 + 672) - (364) = 335
Step 3: Now multiply the last digit of the obtained difference with 4 and add it to rest of the number.
In 335, last digit is 5, when it is multiplied by 4 = 5x4 = 20
Subtracting it from the rest of the number = 33 – 20 = 13
Step 4: Clearly the result is 13 which is multiple of 13. Thus, the given number 27364672 is completely
divisible by 13.

Divisibility rule of powers of 2:

When the divisor is in the form of 2n, then check the last n digits of the given number if they are completely
divisible by 2n or not. If yes then the given number will be exactly divisible by 2n.
Example:
A number will be divisible by 21 = 2 when the last 1 digit of the given number is completely divisible by 21.
A number will be divisible by 22 = 4 when the last 2 digits of the given number is completely divisible by 4.
A number will be divisible by 23 = 8 when the last 3 digits of the given number is completely divisible by 8.
A number will be divisible by 24 = 16 when the last 4 digits of the given number is completely divisible by
16.
A number will be divisible by 25 = 32 when the last 5 digits of the given number is completely divisible by
32.

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Other Divisibility Rules:

1. If a number in the form of XXXXXX (6 times repitition), then the number will be completely divisible by
3, 7, 11, 13, 21, 37, 101.
2. If a number in the form of abcabc, then the number will be completely divisible by 7, 11, 13, 1001.

3. (an + bn) is completely divisible by (a + b) when n is an odd number.

Example 17: Which of the following will completely divide (139 + 318):
a. 17
b. 19
c. 7
d. 11
Solution:
(139 + 318) can be written as (139 + 99) which is in form of (an + bn) and n = 9 is an odd number.
Thus, (139 + 99) is completely divisible by (13 + 9) = 22.
Thus, 22 or 11 and 2 will divide the given number.

4. (an - bn) is completely divisible by (a + b) & (a - b) when n is an even number.

Example 18: (510 - 1024) will be completely divisible by:
a. 3
b. 7
c. 3 and 7
d. None of the above
Solution:
Given expression (510 - 1024) can be written as (510 - 210).
Thus, (510 - 210) has even power of 10 and is in the form of (an - bn).
So, (510 - 210) is divisible by (5 + 2) and (5 - 2) or 7 and 3.

5. (an + bn + cn + dn +………...) is exactly divisible by (a + b + c + d +…………) when n is an odd number.

Example 19: The expression (337 + 537 + 637) is exactly divisible by:
a. 11
b. 14
c. 15
d. 19
Solution:
Here power n = 37 which is an odd number.
Thus, (337 + 537 + 637) will be exactly divisible by (3 + 5 + 6) = 14.
Example 20: (49)15 – 1 is completely divisible by:
a. 50
b. 51
c. 29
d. 8
Solution:
Here, n= 15 which is an odd number.
And 1 can be written as 115.

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So, (49)15 – 115 will be divisible by 49 – 1 = 48.

Since, 48 is not the option, then the given number will be all the factors of 48. Thus, 8 is the answer.

Successive Division:
It is a division in which the quotient of the dividend is taken and is used as dividend of the next division.
Example 21: When 325 is successively divided by 3, 5, 11 then the remainders are:
Solution:
Divisor Dividend Quotient Remainder
3 325 108 1
5 108 21 3
11 21 1 10

Thus, remainders are 1, 3 and 10 respectively.

NUMBER OF FACTORS OF A NUMBER

If N is a composite number such that N = apbqcr …… where a, b, c are prime factors of N and p, q,
r …… are positive integers, then the number of factors of N is given by the expression.
= (p + 1) (q + 1) (r + 1) …...
Example 1: Find the number of factors of 140
Solution:
140 = 22 × 51 × 71
Hence 140 has (2 + 1) (1 + 1) (1 + 1), i.e., 12 factors.
Please note that the figure arrived at by using the above formula includes 1 and the given number
N also as factors. So, if you want to find the number of factors the given number has excluding 1
and the number itself, we find out (p + 1) (q + 1) (r + 1) and then subtract 2 from that figure.
In the above example, the number 140 has 10 factors excluding 1 and 140 itself.

Product of all the factors of a number:

From the above given example of number 48. The total number of factors will be 10 i.e. 1, 2, 3,
4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48. If we try to find the product of all the factors of 48 then we have to multiply
all the factors. But we can see that
Multiplication of 1 and 48 = 48;
Multiplication of 2 and 24 = 48;
Multiplication of 3 and 16 = 48;
Multiplication of 4 and 12 = 48;
Multiplication of 6 and 8 = 48
Thus, Multiplication of a factor from the beginning and a corresponding factor from the end,
results into the number itself. Here, in the example 48 has total 10 factors and in the product, we
have to multiply 48 to itself total 5 times (10 ÷ 2 = 5 times).
So, in general case

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𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠

Product of all the factors of a number = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 ( 2
)
10
So, Product of all the factors of 48 = 48( 2 ) = 485

Number of odd factors of a number: The total number of odd factors of any given number can
be found by calculating all the possible combinations of powers of odd prime numbers as base
such as 3, 5, 7…… etc.
Example 2: Find the number of odd factors of 360.
Solution:
360 = 23 x 32 x 51
Thus, Total number of factors = (3+1)(2+1)(1+1) = 4 x 3 x 2 = 24
Now, Total number of odd factors = (2+1)(1+1) = 3 x 2 = 6 [taking only powers of 3 and 5 in
consideration and excluding powers of 2 as 2 makes the number even]

Number of even factors of a number: The total number of even factors of any given number can
be found by calculating all the factors and subtracting the number of odd factors from it.
By another method, Number of even factors can be found by keeping the power of 2 anfd
ignoring 20 for our calculations and finding the total number of factors as usual.
Example 3: Find the number of even factors of 360.
Solution:
360 = 23 x 32 x 51
Total number of factors = (3+1)(2+1)(1+1) = 4 x 3 x 2 = 24
Total number of odd factors = (2+1)(1+1) = 3 x 2 = 6
Thus, Total number of even factors = 24 – 6 = 18
Alternate Method:
360 = 23 x 32 x 51
Total number of even factors = (3+0)(2+1)(1+1) = 3 x 3 x 2 = 18 [keeping the power of 2 intact]

Number of factors of a number that are perfect squares:

A perfect square or simply square is obtained when a number is multiplied to itself. Thus, to find
the total number of factors that are perfect square, we have to look for the power 0, 2, 4, 6,…..
occurring in the factorization.
Example 4: Find the total number of factors of 90 that are perfect squares.
Solution:
90 = 21 x 32 x 51
Total number of factors of 90 = 2 x 3 x 2 = 12
The factors of 90 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 30, 45 and 90.
Here we can clearly see that only 1 and 9 are factors that are perfect squares also.
But, in the factorization of 90, 2 with power 0; 3 with power 0 and 2; 5 with power 0 will produce
perfect squares.
Thus, Number of factors of 90 that are perfect squares = 1 x 2 x 1 = 2

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SUM OF ALL THE FACTORS OF A NUMBER:

If a number N = apbqcr …… where a, b, c…... are prime numbers and p, q, r…... are positive integers,
then,
The sum of all the factors of N (including 1 and the number itself) is:
𝑞+1
𝑎𝑝+1 − 1 𝑏 − 1 𝑐𝑟+1 − 1
(
𝑎−1
)(
𝑏−1
) ( 𝑐−1 ) … … … … ..

The above can be verified by an example.

Consider the number 48, when resolved into prime factors, 48 = 24 × 31. Here a = 2, b = 3, p = 4,
q = 1.
Hence, sum of all the factors:
24+1 − 1 31+1 − 1 31 8
= ( 2−1 ) ( 3−1 ) = × = 124
1 2
The list of factors of 48 are:
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48.
If these factors are added, the sum is 124 and tallies with the above result.

SUM OF EVEN FACTORS OF A NUMBER:

To find the sum of even factors of a number, we will omit the factor 20.
Example 5: Find the sum of even factors of 2520.
Solution:
2520 = 23 x 32 x 51 x 71
Sum of the even factors = (21+22+23)(30+31+32)(50+51)(70+71)
= (2+4+8)(1+3+9)(1+5)(1+7) = 14 x 13 x 6 x 8 = 8736
SUM OF ODD FACTORS OF A NUMBER:
To find the sum of odd factors of a number, we will omit all the powers of 2 altogether. Taking
into consideration all other factors with their powers.
Example 6: Find the sum of odd factors of 2520.
Solution:
2520 = 23 x 32 x 51 x 71
Sum of the odd factors = (30+31+32)(50+51)(70+71) [Not taking powers of 2 into consideration]
= (1+3+9)(1+5)(1+7) = 13 x 6 x 8 = 624

SUM OF PERFECT SQUARE FACTORS OF A NUMBER: When we find the sum of factors that are
perfect squares, we only consider the powers that make perfect squares i.e. 0, 2, 4…… and follow
the usual method.
Example 7: Find the sum of factors of 2520 that are perfect squares.
Solution:
2520 = 23 x 32 x 51 x 71
Sum of factors that are perfect squares = (20 + 22)(30 + 32)(50)(70)
= (1 + 4)(1 + 9)(1)(1) = 5 x 10 x 1 x 1 = 50

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Number of zeros
In this topic we are going to go through the following concepts:
● Number of trailing zeros in a Product or an Expression
● Number of trailing zeros in Power of an expression
● Number of trailing zeros in a factorial (n!)
Number of zeros is nothing else but the number of zeros at the end i.e. Number of trailing zeros.
Just to make you clear, 170130000 has 5 zeros but 4 trailing / ending zeros.
Note: In questions based on these ideas, you should assume that the examiner is asking about trailing
zeros unless specified otherwise.
Number of trailing zeros in a Product or an Expression:
If we look at a number N, such that N = 2580000 = 258 x 104
Number of trailing zeros is the Power of 10 in the expression or in other words, the number of times N is
divisible by 10.
We know 10 = 2 x 5
For a number to be divisible by 10, it should be divisible by 2 & 5, since making a pair of 2 and 5 will give
us 10.
So, Number of trailing zeros is going to be the power of 2 or 5, whichever is less.

Example 1: Find the number of trailing zeros in N = 1x2x3x4x5x…..x10

Solution:
For finding the powers of 2:
We know 21 = 2(This means that 2 gives us a single power of 2)
22 = 4(This means that 4 gives us a two powers of 2)
23 = 8(This means that 8 gives us a three powers of 2)
Also all even numbers consist of at least one power of 2
Here 6 = 2x3 Thus giving us a single power of 2
Also 10 = 2x5 giving us three powers of 2
Thus in total there are eight times 2 appearing in the expression
For finding the powers of 5:
We have only 5 and 10 in the expression that gives us powers of 5
5=5x1
10 = 5 x 2
Thus there are two times 5 appearing in the expression
Since Power of 5 is lesser than power of 2
Thus number of zeros = Power of 5 in the expression = 2 (Answer)

Example 2: Find the number of zeros in the following expression:

N = 5x25x50x75x100
Solution: Breaking each term of the product in prime factors
5 = 5x1
25 = 52
50 = 2x52
75 = 3x52

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100 = 22 x 52
Thus in the product
Powers of 2 = 3
Powers of 5 = 9
Thus number of zeros = 3.(Answer)

Number of trailing zeros in Power of an expression:

We know that
101 = 10 …….. one trailing zero
102 = 100 …….. two trailing zeros
103 = 1000 …….. three trailing zeros
1002 = 10000 …… four trailing zeros
Thus for finding the number of zeros in Np
If N has t trailing zeros
Then Np has t x p trailing zeros

Example 3: Find the number of zeros in the expression (23200)2x5

Solution: (23200)10
Number of zeros = 2 x 10 = 20(Answer)

Number of trailing zeros in a factorial (n!):

Factorial of a number n is given by n! = n x (n−1) x (n−2) x (n−3) x ….. x 2 x 1
Number of trailing zeros in n! = Number of times n! is divisible by 10 = Highest power of 10 which divides
n! = Highest power of 5 in n! (Since in a factorial number of occurrences of 5 is always less than the number
of occurrences of 2 )
Calculating Highest power of a number in a factorial.
If p is prime number, then the highest power of p in a factorial n is given by
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
[ ] + [ 2] + [ 3] + ⋯
𝑝 𝑝 𝑝
Where [x] represents the greatest integer function of x i.e. the greatest integer that is less than or equal
to x.

Example 4: Find the highest power of 4 in 18!

18 18
Solution: Powers of 4 = [ ] + [ 2 ] + ⋯
4 4
On dividing by further powers of 4 will give integer value as zero
= 4 + 1 = 5 (Answer)

Example 5: Find the number of zeros in 26!

Solution: To find the number of zeros we basically need to find the power of 5 in the given factorial
26 26 26
Powers of 5 = [ 5 ] + [52 ] + [53 ] + ⋯
=5+1+0
= 6 (Answer)

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Important Trick: Instead of dividing by 25, 125, etc. (higher powers of 5); it would be much faster if we
divide the number or expression by 5 recursively.
i.e. [26/5] = 5
[5/5] = 1
[1/5] = 0
Answer = 5+1 = 6
HCF and LCM
Highest Common Factor (HCF): The highest common factor of two or more numbers is the greatest
common divisor, which divides each of those numbers an exact number of times. The process to find the
HCF is:
a. Express the numbers given as a product of prime numbers separately i.e. find factors of numbers.
b. Take the product of prime numbers common to all the given numbers.
Example 1: Find HCF of 540 and 1024.
Solution:
Step 1: Express the numbers given as a product of prime numbers.
540 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 5 = 22 x 33 x 51
1024 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 210
Step 2: Take the product of prime numbers common to all the given numbers.
We can see that only 22 is common to both the given numbers. Thus, H.C.F. = 2 x 2 = 4

Example 2: Find the HCF of 27, 81, 165, 360.

Solution:
Step 1:
27 = 3 x 3 x 3 = 33
81 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 34
165 = 3 x 5 x 11
360 = 23 x 32 x 5
Step 2:
We can see that only 3 is common to all the given numbers. Thus, HCF = 3.

Sometimes finding HCF becomes very calculative and time consuming as the given numbers can be many
and their respective values are also large. In that case,
Property: Let us suppose two numbers N1 and N2 are given. So,
HCF of (N1, N2) = HCF of difference between N1, N2 or any factor of the difference between the given
numbers.
Example 3: Find the HCF of 36 and 54.
Solution:
By ordinary method: 36 = 22 x 32 and 54 = 21 x 33. Thus, HCF = 21 x 32 = 18
Or the Difference between 36 and 54 = 18
Check whether 18 divides both 36 and 54 or not. Here, 18 divides 36 and 54 completely. Thus, HCF of 36
and 54 will be 18. So, both the cases have the same answer.
Example 4: Find the HCF of 210, 360 and 540.
Solution:
HCF of (210, 360 and 540) = HCF (360 - 210 and 540 - 360) = HCF (150 and 180) = 30

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Check whether 30 divides all the three numbers or not. Here, 30 divides 210, 360 and 540 completely.
Thus, HCF of 210, 360 and 540 will be 30.
Note: Try to find difference between given numbers which is as minimum as possible.
Example 5: Find the HCF of 2190, 1800, 1890 and 2520.
Solution:
Here, Finding the HCF of these four numbers will be hectic as these numbers are large and their
factorization will be time consuming. So, try to find shortest possible difference between the given
numbers. Here, shortest possible difference will be between 1890 and 1800 which is 90.
Now, Check whether 90 divides all the four numbers or not. Here, 90 divides 1800, 1890 and 2520
completely but not 2190. So, HCF will not be 90 but a factor of 90.
Factors of 90 = 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 30, 45, 90. Out of all the twelve factors of 90, highest factor that
divides all the given numbers is 30. Thus, HCF will be 30.

Least Common Multiple (LCM): The least common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the
smallest of the numbers, which is exactly divisible by each of them, e.g. consider two numbers 18 and 24.
The multiples of 18 are: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162, 180, 198, 216, ....
The multiples of 24 are: 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, ......
The common multiples of both 18 and 24 are 72, 144, 216, ....
The least common multiple is 72.
Here again try to break the words in reverse order and understand the concept. Firstly, find the multiples
of the numbers. Secondly, the common multiples of the numbers and finally the least out of those will be
the LCM. The process to find the LCM is:
a. Express the numbers given as a product of prime numbers separately i.e. find factors of numbers
b. Take the product of prime factors of the given numbers after eliminating repetition of the common
factors.
Example 6: Find LCM of 36 and 54.
Solution:
Step 1: Express the numbers given as a product of prime numbers.
36 = 22 x 32
54 = 21 x 33
Step 2: Take the product of prime factors of the given numbers after eliminating repetition of the common
factors.
Here, eliminating the common factors 21 and 32 and multiplying the remaining factors i.e. 22 and 33 .
So, LCM = 22 x 33 = 108
Example 7: Find the LCM of 210, 360 and 540.
Solution:
Step 1: Express the numbers given as a product of prime numbers.
210 = 2 x 3 x 5 x 7
360 = 23 x 32 x 5
540 = 22 x 33 x 5
Step 2: Take the product of prime factors of the given numbers after eliminating repetition of the common
factors.

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Here, eliminating the common factors 21, 31 and 51 and multiplying the remaining factors i.e. 23 and 33, 5
and 7.
So, LCM = 23 x 33 x 5 x 7 = 7560

Relationship between HCF and LCM:

The relationship between any two numbers x and y and their HCF and LCM:
𝑥 × 𝑦 = 𝐿𝐶𝑀 × 𝐻𝐶𝐹
Proof: Let us take any two numbers such as 14 and 78.
Factorization of 14 = 2 x 7 and 78 = 2 x 3 x 13
Product of 14 and 78 = 14 x 78 = 1092
HCF of 14 and 78 = 2
LCM of 14 and 78 = 2 x 3 x 7 x 13 = 546
Product of HCF and LCM = 2 x 546 = 1092
Thus, Product of 14 and 78 = HCF x LCM of 14 and 78.

Special case of finding HCF: There are some cases when HCF is asked in question but two numbers (N1
and N2) are not given instead their sum and LCM is given. So, in that case:
HCF of (N1 and N2) = HCF of (Sum of N1 and N2 , LCM of N1 and N2)
Proof: Find the HCF of 36 and 54.
36 = 22 x 32
54 = 21 x 33
HCF = 21 x 32 = 18
Here, Sum of 36 and 54 = 90
And Sum of 36 and 54 = 22 x 33 = 108
HCF of (Sum of 36 and 54, LCM of 36 and 54) = HCF of (90 and 108) = 18
So, in both the cases HCF is same.

HCF of fraction values: To calculate the HCF of fraction values, we calculate the ratio of HCF of all the
numerators to LCM of all the denominators.
1 3 5 13
Example 8: Find the HCF of 4 , 8 , 6 , 12.
Solution:
HCF of numerators = HCF (1, 3, 5, 13) = 1
LCM of denominators = LCM (4, 8, 6, 12) = 24
1
Thus, HCF of given fractions = 24

LCM of fraction values: To calculate the LCM of fraction values, we calculate the ratio of LCM of all the
numerators to HCF of all the denominators.
1 3 5 13
Example 9: Find the LCM of 4 , 8 , 6 , 12.
Solution:
LCM of numerators = LCM (1, 3, 5, 13) = 195
HCF of denominators = HCF (4, 8, 6, 12) = 2
195
Thus, LCM of given fractions = 2

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REMAINDER THEOREM
Any number can be written in the form given below:
Dividend=Divisor x Quotient + Remainder
So When 86 is divided by 10 it can be written in the form
86 = 10 x 8 + 6
Consider the following question:
17×23.
Suppose you have to find the remainder of this expression when divided by 12.
We can write this as:
17×23 = (12+5) × (12+11)
You will realise that, when this expression is divided by 12, the remainder will only depend on the last
term above:
12×12+12×11+5×12+5×11 5×11
Thus, 12
gives the same remainder as 12
→ 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 = +7

This is the remainder when 17 × 23 is divided by 12.

Learning Point: In order to find the remainder of 17 × 23 when divide by 12, you need to look at the
individual remainders of 17 and 23 when divided by 12 and then successively divide by 12 to find the
remainder of the original expression

Mathematically, this can be written as:

The remainder of the expression [A × B × C + D × E]/M, will be the same as the remainder of the
expression [AR × BR × CR × ER]/M.

When AR is the remainder when A is divided by M,

BR is the remainder when B is divided by M,

CR is the remainder when C is divided by M

DR is the remainder when D is divided by M and

ER is the remainder when E is divided by M,

We call this transformation as the remainder theorem transformation and denote it by the sign
R→
Thus, the remainder of

1421 × 1423 × 1425 when divided by 12 can be given as:

1421×1423×1425 5×7×9 35×9 11×9

12
R→ 12 R→ 12
R→ 12 R→ +3

In the above question, we have a series of remainder theorem transformations (denoted by R→)
and equality transformations to transform a difficult looking expression into a simple expression.

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USING NEGATIVE REMAINDERS

Consider the following question.

Find the remainder when: 14 × 15 is divided by 8.

The obvious approach in this case would be

14×15 6×7 42
8
R→ 8
R→ 8
R→ +2

However, there is another option by which you can solve the same question:

When 14 is divide by 8, the remainder is normally seen as + 6. however, there might be times when using
the negative value of the remainder might give us more convenience. Which is why you should know the
following process.

Concept Note: Remainders by definition are always non-negative. Hence, even when we divide a number
like – 27 by 5 we say that the remainder is 3 (and not – 2). However, looking at the negative value of the
remainder–it has its own advantage in Mathematics at it results in reducing calculations.

Thus, when a number like 13 is divided by 8, the remainder being 5, the negative remainder is –3.
Note: It is in this context that we mention numbers like 13, 21, 29, etc. as 8n + 5 or 8n – 3 numbers.

1415 −2×−1
Thus, 8
will give us 8
R→2

Consider the advantage this process will give you in the following question:
51×52 −2×−1
53
→ 53
R→2

(The alternative will involve long calculation. Hence, the principle is that you should use is negative
remainders wherever you can. They can make life much simpler.)
What if the answer comes out to be negative?

62×63×64 −4×−3×−2 24
For instance, 66
→ 66
R → − 66

But we know that a remainder of –24, equals a remainder of 42 when divided by 66. Hence, the
answer is 42.

Of course, nothing stops you from using positive and negative remainders at the same time in order to
solve the same question:

17×19 −1×+1 1
9
→ 9 R → − 9 R → +8

Try to solve the following question on Remainder theorem:

Find the remainder in each of the following cases:

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1. 243 × 245 × 247 × 249 × 251 divided by 12.

Solution:
243 × 245 × 247 × 249 × 251 +3×+5×+7×+9×+11 15×63×11 +3×+3×−1 9
→ → → → − 12 𝑅 → +3
12 12 12 12

173×261 248×249×250
2. +
13 15

Solution:

173×261 248×249×250 +4×+1 +8×+9×+10 4 0

13
+ 15
→ 13
+ 15
→ +
13
+ 15 R → +4

37×43×51 137×143×151
3. +
7 9

Solution:
37×43×51 137×143×151 +2×+1×+2 +2×−1×−2
+ → + → (+4) + (+4) 𝑅 → +8
7 9 7 9

Dealing with large power: There are two tools which are effective in order to deal with large powers:
𝑛
((𝑎𝑥+1))
(A) If you can express the expression in the form 𝑎
then the remainder will become 1 directly. In
such a case, no matter how large the value of the power n is, the remainder is 1. In such a case the value
of the power does not matter.

3712635 112635
Example: 9
R→ 9
R → +1

(𝑎𝑥−1)𝑛
(B) 𝑎 In such a case using –1 as the remainder it will be evident that the remainder will be +1 if n is
even and it will be –1 (Hence a – 1) when n is odd.

31127 (−1)127
Example: 8
R→ 8
R → +7

ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT:

Suppose you were asked to find the remainder of 14 divided by 4. It is clearly visible that the answer
should be 2.

But consider the following process:

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14 7
4
→2 R → +1 (The answer has changed)

What has happened?

We have transformed 14/4 into 7/2 by dividing the numerator and the denominator by 2. The result is
that the original remainder 2 is also divided by 2 giving us 1 as the remainder. In order to take care of this
problem we need to reverse the effect of the division of the remainder by 2. This is done by multiplying
the final remainder by 2 to get the correct answer.

Note: In any question on remainder theorem, you should try to cancel out parts of the numerator and
denominator as much as you can, since it directly reduces the calculation required.

THE APPLICATION OF REMAINDER THEOREM:

Finding the last two digits of an expression:

Suppose you had to find the last 2 digits of the expression:

22×31×44×27×37×43

The remainder the above expression will give when it is divided by 100 is the answer to the above
question.

Hence, to answer the question above find the remainder of the expression when it is divided by 100.

Solution:
22 × 31 × 44 × 27 × 37 × 43
100
22×31×11×27×37×43
= 25
(on dividing by 4)

22×6×11×2×12×18 132×22×216 7×22×16 154×16 4×16

R→ R→ R→ R→ R→ R → +14
25 25 25 25 25
Thus, the remainder being 14, (after division by 4). The actual remainder should be 56. (Don’t forget to
multiply by 4)

Hence, the last 2 digits of the answer will be 56.

Using negative remainders here would have helped further.

Note: Similarly finding the last three digits of an expression means finding the remainder when the
expression is divided by 1000.

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THE PRIME NUMBER DIVISOR RULE:

This rule states that: If ‘P’ is a prime number then:

𝐴𝑃−1
The remainder of the expression 𝑃
is 1. (Provided A is not a multiple of P)

2482
Example: The remainder of 83
=1

SPLITTING THE DENOMINATOR INTO CO-PRIME NUMBERS:

This is also sometime referred to as the ‘Chinese Remainder Theorem’. It is useful when you have to find
the remainder when there is a large denominator, and no other short cuts are working. It is best explained
through an example.
1071444
Suppose you were trying to find the remainder of . You can split the denominator into two co-prime
136
numbers as 17 and 8.

1071444 51444 516𝑛 ×54 1×54

First find the remainder of 17
→ 17
→ 17
→ 17
R→ +13. This means that 1071444 is a 17n +
13 number.

1071444 31444 32𝑛

Next, find the remainder of 8
→ 8
→ 8
→ R→ +1. This means that 1071444 is an 8n + 1 number.

The next step is to find a number below 136 that is both a 17n + 13 as well as an 8n + 1 number. That
number would be the answer.

The list of 17n + 13 numbers below 136 is: 13, 30, 47, 64, 81, 98, 115 and 132. 81 can be seen to be an 8n
+ 1 number too.

Thus, the correct answer is 81.

Euler's Totient Function:

The totient φ(n) of a positive integer n greater than 1 is defined to be the number of positive integers less
than n that are coprime to n. φ(1) is defined to be 1.
The general formula to compute φ(n) is the following:
If the prime factorisation of n is given by n =p1e1*...*pnen, then φ(n) = n *(1 - 1/p1)* ... (1 - 1/pn).
For example:
● 9 = 32, φ(9) = 9* (1-1/3) = 6
● 4 =22, φ(4) = 4* (1-1/2) = 2
● 15 = 3*5, φ(15) = 15* (1 - 1/3)*(1 - 1/5) = 15*(2/3)*(4/5) =8
● 48 = 24×3, φ(48) = 48*(1 – ½)(1 – 1/3) = 16
Note: All prime numbers (p) have Euler’s Totient = (p – 1)
● 73 has Euler’s Totient = 73(1 – 1/73) = 72 which is 1 less than 73.
When x and y are two co-prime numbers, φ(x*y) = φ(x)* φ(y)
● 77 has Euler’s Totient = φ(77) = φ(11*7) = φ(11)*φ(7) = 10x6 = 60.

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Application of Euler’s Totient:

279
Example: Find the remainder of 37 .
Solution:
Here, Euler’s Totient φ(37) = 36 which means 37 has total 36 numbers that are co-prime to 37.
236
Thus, 37 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 1.
Also, 272 , 2108 , 2144 … … … will leave remainder as 1 when divided by 37.
Thus, 279 will be converted to 27 .
27 128
So, 37 = 37
𝑅 → +17

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