Counting Unique 7-Digit Phone Numbers - No Repeats

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter THA
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Counting Numbers
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the number of unique 7-digit phone numbers in the format NXX-XXXX, where N is a digit from 2-9 and X is a digit from 0-9, with the condition that no digits can repeat. Participants explore different approaches to solve the problem, including combinatorial reasoning and subtraction methods for invalid cases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using P(10, 7) to count all possible numbers without considering the restriction on N, but expresses uncertainty about how to adjust for this restriction.
  • Another participant proposes calculating the total number of 7-digit combinations and then subtracting those that start with 0 or 1, indicating a possible approach to simplify the problem.
  • There is a discussion about counting single-digit and multi-digit numbers without repeats, with a focus on how to apply similar reasoning to the 7-digit case.
  • A participant explains the counting process for 1-digit and 2-digit numbers, illustrating the method of using permutations and the impact of restrictions on the first digit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to calculate the number of valid phone numbers. Multiple approaches are proposed, and there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the correct application of combinatorial principles.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about how to accurately account for the restrictions on the first digit and the implications for the total count of valid combinations. There are also unresolved questions about the counting of numbers starting with 0 or 1.

THA
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Problem details:
Given a 7 digit phone number in the form: NXX - XXXX
N = a number from 2-9
X = a number from 0-9
how many with no repeated digits?

I think if I pretend that N is also a number from 0-9, then there would be P(10, 7) numbers without repeats, but then that's too much and I'm not sure how I can subtract the number's that N is not supposed to have. The other way I was thinking is the last 6 numbers can be chosen P(10, 6) without repeat's but then I'm not sure how I can choose the number of N. Can someone provide some help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How many single digit numbers with no repeated digits?
What about two, three, four etc.?

Also, it might be easier to figure out how many possible 7 digit numbers there are, and then subtract off the ones starting with 0 or 1.
 
How many single digit numbers with no repeated digits?
It's regular 7-digit phone number, none of the 7 digit's can repeat. If that's not what you meant, then please clarify.

Also, it might be easier to figure out how many possible 7 digit numbers there are, and then subtract off the ones starting with 0 or 1.
That's what I was thinking, but I'm not really sure how to count the number's that start with 0 or 1. Would it be something like: P(10,7) - 2*P(10,6) ?
 
Here's what NateTG means : Forget for now that you have a 7 digit number and look at the following.

How many ways of finding a 1-digit number ? That's easy : 10 ways. Any number from 0..9 can be used.
How many 2-digit numbers without repeats ? Okay, I can put any of the10 numbers in the ten's place, and having used up this number, I can put any of the remaining 9 numbers in the unit's place. So there's 90 possibilities or P(10,2)
In this 2-digit number, if the ten's digit had to be only one of 2..9, I can fill that spot in 8 ways, and the units spot in...still only 9 ways.

And so on...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
7K