Divisibility test for 5

Quick answer

A number is divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to tell if any number is divisible by 5 just by looking at the last digit.

• You can quickly say if a number is divisible by 5
• You know that numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5
• You can use this rule to check your division answers
• You understand why this trick works

Why this matters

Knowing how to quickly check if a number is divisible by 5 helps you solve maths problems faster. You’ll use this trick when sharing things equally, counting money, playing games, or checking if a number fits into a group nicely. It's a useful shortcut that makes maths more fun and easier!

How it works

When we divide a number by 5, we are splitting it into 5 equal parts. If a number ends in 0 or 5, it means it can be split into 5 equal parts without any left over.

1. Look at the last digit of the number
2. If it is 0 or 5, the number is divisible by 5
3. If it is any other digit, it is not divisible by 5

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some numbers and see if they are divisible by 5:

Let’s think about it with objects:

• If you have 20 apples and want to share them equally among 5 friends, each friend gets 4 apples. So 20 is divisible by 5.
• If you have 25 oranges and want to share them among 5 children, each child gets 5 oranges. So 25 is divisible by 5.
• If you have 37 sweets and want to share them among 5 kids, there will be 2 sweets left over. So 37 is not divisible by 5.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a treasure hunter on a quest to find 5 magical coins. You have a bag full of coins, and you need to quickly check which ones are divisible by 5 so you can count them correctly.

1. First, you look at the first coin and see it has 10 coins inside. Is 10 divisible by 5? Yes, because it ends in 0.
2. Next, you see a coin with 25 coins inside. Is 25 divisible by 5? Yes, because it ends in 5.
3. Then, you find a coin with 37 coins inside. Is 37 divisible by 5? No, because it ends in 7.
4. Finally, you see a coin with 40 coins inside. Is 40 divisible by 5? Yes, because it ends in 0.

You found 3 magical coins that are divisible by 5!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that any number ending in 0 is divisible by 5, but also thinking that any number ending in 5 is divisible by 5.
  Why it happens: Confusing divisibility rules for 2 and 5.
  Fix: Remember, only numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5.
• Mistake: Forgetting that 0 is divisible by 5.
  Why it happens: Thinking 0 is not a number.
  Fix: 0 is divisible by 5 because 0 ÷ 5 = 0.
• Mistake: Not checking the last digit.
  Why it happens: Rushing or not paying attention.
  Fix: Always look at the last digit first before dividing.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child learn this rule is easy and fun:

1. Start by showing them numbers ending in 0 and 5, and ask them to guess if they are divisible by 5.
2. Use everyday objects like coins, sweets, or toys to show how 5 can divide evenly into groups.
3. Play a quick game where you say a number and your child tells you if it’s divisible by 5.
4. Encourage them to think about why this works: “Why does 10 work? Why does 15 work?”
5. Don’t worry if they make mistakes – it's part of learning!

Remember, this is a quick rule, not a full division problem. It helps check your answers, not do the full maths.

Practice questions

1. Is 30 divisible by 5? Yes
2. Is 42 divisible by 5? No
3. Is 55 divisible by 5? Yes
4. Is 67 divisible by 5? No
5. Is 70 divisible by 5? Yes
6. Is 85 divisible by 5? Yes
7. Is 98 divisible by 5? No
8. Is 100 divisible by 5? Yes
9. Is 105 divisible by 5? Yes
10. Is 112 divisible by 5? No

FAQ

Q: Why does a number need to end in 0 or 5 to be divisible by 5?

A: When we divide by 5, we are splitting things into 5 equal parts. Numbers ending in 0 or 5 can always be split evenly into 5 groups with nothing left over.

Q: Does this rule work for big numbers like 12345?

A: Yes! Only the last digit matters. 12345 ends in 5, so it is divisible by 5.

Q: Can I use this rule for other numbers like 2 or 3?

A: No, each number has its own special rule. For 2, the number must end in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8). For 3, you add the digits and see if the total is divisible by 3.

Q: What if I have a number like 0 or 1000?

A: 0 is divisible by 5 because 0 ÷ 5 = 0. 1000 is divisible by 5 because it ends in 0.

Q: Is there a pattern in the 5 times table?

A: Yes! The 5 times table always ends in 0 or 5. For example: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100.