Is a special number?

1. Describe some attributes that you notice about this number. For example, is it even or odd, prime,
composite.

2. Prime factor 2023.

You can check if a number is divisible by 3 by adding up its digits and checking if that sum is divisible by 3.
Similarly, there is a type of number called a Harshad (or Niven) number. When you add up its digits you get
a number that divides evenly into that original number. (The word "harshad" comes from the Sanskrit harsa
(joy) + da (give), meaning joy-giver.)
3. What is the sum of the digits of 2023? 𝟏𝟎𝟖
𝟏+𝟎
4. Does that sum divide evenly into 2023?
+ 𝟖 = 𝟏𝟐

We wondered how often Harshad numbers show up in the Natural1 numbers.

Integer Sum of the digits Integer divided by sum Harshad number?

𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟖 = 𝟕𝟒 1 1 1 yes
𝟗+ 𝟖 2 2 1 yes
𝟏+𝟗+ 3 3 1 yes
5. This seems like a trend. When is the first non-Harshad number that you reach if you continue this
string of integers?

6. Can you make any conclusions after checking these first natural numbers?

7. When does this trend end? 𝟑𝟓, 𝟓𝟐𝟐

= 𝟐𝟑𝟐𝟑
𝟑+𝟓+𝟓+𝟐+𝟐
8. What do you wonder about these special numbers?

9. Check the numbers from 11 to 20. Are Harshad numbers rare in this range?

10. By kind of reversing the operations that you used to check if a number was Harshad, create another
pretty large Harshad number. Show your work.

11. Last question. Name as many special types of numbers that you can think of. There are a lot of kinds.
Just spend a few minutes on this question.

Happy 2023!
1
Natural numbers = These are the numbers that we use for counting. {1, 2, 3,4 …}
Source: https://numbermatics.com/n/2023/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harshad_number

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