eli5 how do EFTPOS machines instantly know a card number is invalid? for instance if there are 16 card numbers and I put in the 10th digit in wrong, machine beeps and does not let me put that digit it in, surely there are cards with one number difference
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Card numbers are usually generated using a mathematical algorithm. For instance, I believe credit card numbers are often generated using [modular arithmetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_arithmetic) algorithms. Because the card number is the result of a specific set of mathematical steps the computer can instantly determine if a card number is valid or not. For example, due to the steps of the algorithm, it may not be possible for the 10th digit to be a 7 so when you try to enter a 7 as the 10th digit the computer automatically knows it’s the wrong number.
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