The 5-digit number 7a35b is divisible by 45, where a and b are positive integers. What is the value of (a + b)?
- AOption (a)
14
- BOption (b)
5
- COption (c)
12
- DOption (d)
7
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Correct answer
12
Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick
For a number to be divisible by 45, it must be divisible by both 5 and 9.
Divisibility by 5: The last digit b must be 0 or 5. Since b is a positive integer, b = 5.
Divisibility by 9: The sum of digits (7 + a + 3 + 5 + 5) = 20 + a must be a multiple of 9.
The nearest multiple of 9 greater than 20 is 27. Therefore, 20 + a = 27 ⇒ a = 7.
The value of (a + b) = 7 + 5 = 12.
∴ The correct answer is 12.

Alternate Method
Given: The 5-digit number is 7a35b and it is divisible by 45.
Conditions: a and b are positive integers (a, b ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}).

Step 1: Divisibility by 5
⇒ For a number to be divisible by 5, its last digit must be 0 or 5.
⇒ Since b is a positive integer, b cannot be 0. Thus, b = 5.
Step 2: Divisibility by 9
⇒ Sum of digits = 7 + a + 3 + 5 + b
⇒ Sum = 15 + a + 5 = 20 + a
⇒ For 20 + a to be divisible by 9, the possible values for (20 + a) are 27, 36, ...
⇒ If 20 + a = 27, then a = 7.
⇒ If 20 + a = 36, then a = 16 (which is not a single-digit integer).
Step 3: Calculate (a + b)
⇒ a + b = 7 + 5 = 12.
∴ The correct answer is 12.

Additional Information
Divisibility Rule of 9
A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Divisibility Rule of 5
A number is divisible by 5 if its last digit is either 0 or 5.
Composite Divisibility
To check divisibility by a composite number like 45, check divisibility by its coprime factors (5 and 9).















