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How to check if a number is a multiple of another number in Python

How to check if a number is a multiple of another number in Python.

Here's a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to check if a number is a multiple of another number in Python:

Step 1: Understand the concept of multiples​

  • In mathematics, a multiple of a number is a number that can be evenly divided by another number without leaving a remainder.
  • For example, 6 is a multiple of 3 because 6 divided by 3 equals 2 with no remainder.

Step 2: Decide on the approach​

  • There are multiple ways to check if one number is a multiple of another number in Python. We'll explore three common approaches:

    1. Using the modulo operator (%)
    2. Using the division operator (/) and checking for a whole number result
    3. Using the built-in divmod() function

Approach 1: Using the modulo operator (%)

  • The modulo operator (%) returns the remainder of a division operation.
  • If the remainder is 0, then the dividend is divisible by the divisor.
  • Here's an example code snippet:
def is_multiple(num, divisor):
    return num % divisor == 0

# Example usage:
print(is_multiple(10, 5))  # Output: True
print(is_multiple(7, 3))   # Output: False

Approach 2: Using the division operator (/) and checking for a whole number result

  • We can divide the number by the divisor and check if the result is a whole number (integer) using the is_integer() method.
  • Here's an example code snippet:
def is_multiple(num, divisor):
    return (num / divisor).is_integer()

# Example usage:
print(is_multiple(10, 5))  # Output: True
print(is_multiple(7, 3))   # Output: False

Approach 3: Using the built-in divmod() function

  • The divmod() function returns both the quotient and remainder of a division operation.
  • We can use this function to check if the remainder is 0.
  • Here's an example code snippet:
def is_multiple(num, divisor):
    quotient, remainder = divmod(num, divisor)
    return remainder == 0

# Example usage:
print(is_multiple(10, 5))  # Output: True
print(is_multiple(7, 3))   # Output: False

Step 3: Choose the approach that suits your needs​

  • Depending on your specific requirements, you can choose any of the above approaches to check if a number is a multiple of another number in Python.
  • Approach 1 using the modulo operator is the most commonly used and efficient method.

That's it! You now have a detailed tutorial on how to check if a number is a multiple of another number in Python. Feel free to use any of the provided code examples based on your preference.