Divisor

In mathematics, a divisor of an integer ${\displaystyle n,}$ also called a factor of ${\displaystyle n,}$ is an integer ${\displaystyle m}$ that may be multiplied by some integer to produce ${\displaystyle n.}$ In this case, one also says that ${\displaystyle n}$ is a multiple of ${\displaystyle m.}$ An integer ${\displaystyle n}$ is divisible or evenly divisible by another integer ${\displaystyle m}$ if ${\displaystyle m}$ is a divisor of ${\displaystyle n}$; this implies dividing ${\displaystyle n}$ by ${\displaystyle m}$ leaves no remainder.

An integer ${\displaystyle n}$ is divisible by a nonzero integer ${\displaystyle m}$ if there exists an integer ${\displaystyle k}$ such that ${\displaystyle n=km.}$ This is written as

This may be read as that ${\displaystyle m}$ divides ${\displaystyle n,}$ ${\displaystyle m}$ is a divisor of ${\displaystyle n,}$ ${\displaystyle m}$ is a factor of ${\displaystyle n,}$ or ${\displaystyle n}$ is a multiple of ${\displaystyle m.}$ If ${\displaystyle m}$ does not divide ${\displaystyle n,}$ then the notation is ${\displaystyle m\not \mid n.}$

There are two conventions, distinguished by whether ${\displaystyle m}$ is permitted to be zero:

Divisors can be negative as well as positive, although often the term is restricted to positive divisors. For example, there are six divisors of 4; they are 1, 2, 4, −1, −2, and −4, but only the positive ones (1, 2, and 4) would usually be mentioned.

1 and −1 divide (are divisors of) every integer. Every integer (and its negation) is a divisor of itself. Integers divisible by 2 are called even, and integers not divisible by 2 are called odd.

1, −1, ${\displaystyle n}$ and ${\displaystyle -n}$ are known as the trivial divisors of ${\displaystyle n.}$ A divisor of ${\displaystyle n}$ that is not a trivial divisor is known as a non-trivial divisor (or strict divisor). A nonzero integer with at least one non-trivial divisor is known as a composite number, while the units −1 and 1 and prime numbers have no non-trivial divisors.

There are divisibility rules that allow one to recognize certain divisors of a number from the number's digits.