So, this is how it works.
Let's look at 1234
Does 4 divide evenly into 1234?
For 4 to divide into any number we have to make sure that the last number is even.
If it is an odd number, there is no way it will go in evenly. So, for example, 4 will not go evenly into 1233 or 1235
now we know that for 4 to divide evenly into any number the number has to end with an even number.
Back to the question...
4 into 1234, the solution:
Take the last number and add it to 2 times the second last number . If 4 goes evenly into this number then you know that 4 will go evenly into the whole number. So
4 + (2 X 3) = 10
4 goes into 10 two times with a remainder of 2 so it does not go in evenly.
Let’s try 4 into 3436546
So, from our example, take the last number, 6 and add it to two times the penultimate number, 4
6 + (2 X 4) = 14
4 goes into 14 three times with two remainder. So it doesn't go in evenly.
Let's try one more.
4 into 212334436
6 + (2 X 3) = 12
4 goes into 12 three times with 0 remainder.
Therefore 4 goes into 234436 evenly.
So what use is this trick to you?
Well if you have learnt the tutorial at Memorymentor.com about telling the day in any year, then you can use it in working out whether the year you are calculating is a leap year or not.