Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept Introduction

The digital root (DR) concept is the idea that any number greater than 9 can be reduced to a single digit by adding the component digits of the number in one or more steps.

How to find the DR

Simply, add the individual digits of the number in one or more steps until you obtain a single digit (1, 2, 3 or 9) and that is the digital root of that number. For example: i. ii. iii. iv. 42 4+2 = 6 84 8+4 = 12 1+2=3 737 7+3+7 = 171+7=8 6789 6+7+8+9 = 303+0 = 3

Shortcuts to finding the DR

1. The digital root of any number containing only 9s (such as 99 or 999 or 9999) is 9. 2. If there is one or more 9s in a number simply ignore them and add the remaining digits. 3. Look for digits that you can quickly add to 9, or to multiples of 9; ignore them and add the remaining digits. For example: i. ii. iii. iv. v. 19 19 1 998 998 8 3198 3198 3 6566 6566 5 7781 7781 7+7=14 1+45

Use the DR concept in school work

Mastering the DR concept can help you improve your numeracy skills and to achieve better grades at school. This is because the DR concept can be used to check that your answers to your arithmetic problems are correct. Basically, in any addition, subtraction or multiplication problems the final DR on either side of an equation must be the same. The DR can also be used to double check your division problems although the steps are slightly different. Here, I will demonstrate how you can use the DR to check that your answers to arithmetic problems are correct.

Santha Fernandez 2013

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Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept Addition (A + B = C)

Addition A + B = C Is the answer correct ( or )? Why or why not?

Example 1 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Add and find the final DR on left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation Example 2 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Add and find the final DR on left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation Example 3: Try this Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Add and find the final DR on left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation

27 9

32 5

59 5 DR of 5 on both sides of the equation

9+55

47 2

26 8

74 2 DR of 1 on one side and 2 on other side of the equation

2 + 8 = 10 1

47

26

73

Santha Fernandez 2013

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Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept Subtraction (A B = C)

Note: In subtracting the DR of B from the DR of A it is possible that we may end up with 0 or a negative value. If we do get such a value we need to find the complement digital root value all we need to do is add 9 to it.
Subtraction Example 1 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Subtract and find the final DR on left side of equation; if it is not 0 or a negative number check if it equals DR on right side of equation. Example 2 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Subtract and find the final DR on left side of equation; if it is not 0 or a negative number check if it equals DR on right side of equation. Example 3 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Subtract and find the final DR on left side of equation; if it is not 0 or a negative number check if it equals DR on right side of equation. Example 4 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Subtract and find the final DR on left side of equation; if it is not 0 or a negative number check if it equals DR on right side of equation. Example 5: Try this Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Subtract and find the final DR on left side of equation; if it is not 0 or a negative number check if it equals DR on right side of equation. 567 133 7 A 99 9 B 26 8 = = C 73 1 DR of 1 on both sides of the equation Is the answer correct ( or )? Why or why not?

98=1

52 7

81 9 DR of 9 on both sides of the equation

7-7= 0; since it is 0 we find its complement by adding 9, i.e. 0 + 9 = 9 74 2 26 8 =

48 3 DR of 3 on both sides of the equation

2 8 = -6; since it is a negative value we find its complement by adding 9 i.e. -6 + 9=3 567 9 444 3 =

223 7 DR of 6 on one side and 7 on other side of equation

9-3=6

444

123

Santha Fernandez 2013

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Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept

Multiplication (A x B = C)
Multiplication Example 1 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Multiply and find the final DR on
left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation.

A 15 6

X x

B 14 5

= =

C 210 3 3

Is the answer correct ( or )? Why or why not?

6 x 5 = 30 3 24 6 x 36 9 =

DR of 3 on both sides of the equation

Example 2 Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Multiply and find the final DR on

863 DR of 9 on one side and 8 on other side of equation

left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation.

6 x 9 = 54 9

Example 3: Try this Work out DR of numbers on either side of equation Multiply and find the final DR on
left side of equation; check if it equals DR on right side of equation.

14

37

618

Santha Fernandez 2013

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Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept Division (A/B=C + Remainder)
To use the digital root (DR) concept to check your divisions we follow a slightly different rule i.e. the DR of A must be the same as the DR(B) multiplied by the DR(C) plus the DR(R) (R is the remainder in whole number, if any). Division Example 1 Work out DR of A, B, C and R Reorganise the problem Multiply DR of B and C and add to it DR of R. Find final DR and check if it
equals DR on left side of equation.

A 480 3 A

B 20 2

= =

C 24 6

R 0 0

Is the answer correct ( or )? Why or why not?

BxC+R DR of 3 on both sides of the equation 4 4

2 x 6 + 0 = 12 3

Example 2 Find DR of A, B, C and R Reorganise the problem Multiply DR of B and C and add to it DR of R. Find final DR and check if it
equals DR on left side of equation.

916 7 A

16 7

57 3

BxC+R DR of 7 on both sides of the equation 1 1 DR of 6 on one side and 5 on other side of equation 7

7 x 3 + 4 = 25 7

Example 3 Find DR of A, B, C and R Multiply DR of B and C and add to it DR of R. Find final DR and check if it
equals DR on left side of equation.

123 6

11 2

11 2

2x2+15

Example 4: Try this

623

17

36

Santha Fernandez 2013

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Digital Root A simple and useful mathematical concept Note:

You can also use the DR concept to check more complex arithmetic problems. Just remember to follow the mathematical BODMAS rule, i.e. solve brackets, orders (i.e. powers, square roots etc.), division, multiplication, addition and subtraction

Example 1
20 x 3 +14 = 74 DR on right side is 2 DR on left side of equation is 2 x 3 + 5 6 + 5 11 2 Your answer is correct

Example 2
(4+3)2 + 7 2x6= 44 DR on right side is 8 DR on left side of equation is 7 x 7 + 7 12 49 + 7-3 11 3 8 Your answer is correct

Santha Fernandez 2013

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