A digital clock shows the time from 00:00 to 23:59 as a string of four digits?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the number of unique four-digit strings representing time on a digital clock from 00:00 to 23:59. One participant initially estimated 290 valid combinations but expressed uncertainty about the accuracy. The conversation highlights the need to systematically analyze the digits, considering how many ways to choose each digit's position and value. Additionally, there is a focus on identifying combinations that contain three of the same digit, with calculations leading to a total of 40 potential combinations. Overall, the participants emphasize breaking down the problem into manageable steps for accurate counting.
TinyTex
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a digital clock shows the time from 00:00 to 23:59 as a string of four digits

1) how many contain for different strings 4 values e.g. 02:43

i got is as 290 don't think its right

since there are
01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,12 = 10
then there are
22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,32,34,35,36,37,38,39,42,43,45,46,47,48,49,52,53,54,56,57,58,59
= 29

29x10=290

2) How many contain 3 of the same digit

00: 01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,20,30,40,50 =14
11: 01,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,31,41,51 =13
01,02,03,04,05, : 00,00,00,00,00,00,11,22,33,44,55, =10
06,07,09, : 00,00,00 = 3
14+13+10+3= 40?
12
 
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TinyTex said:
a digital clock shows the time from 00:00 to 23:59 as a string of four digits

1) how many contain for different strings 4 values e.g. 02:43

i got is as 290 don't think its right

Me neither. And you mean "don't". Think of it this way -- how many ways can you pick the first digit? After that is done, how many ways for the second? Then the third? So...

2) How many contain 3 of the same digit

00: 01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,20,30,40,50 =14
11: 01,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,31,41,51 =13
01,02,03,04,05, : 00,00,00,00,00,00,11,22,33,44,55, =10
06,07,09, : 00,00,00 = 3
14+13+10+3= 40?
12

Again, break it into steps. How many ways can you choose the slot for the different digit? How many ways can you choose the digit for that slot? How many ways can you fill the other three slots?
 
TinyTex said:
a digital clock shows the time from 00:00 to 23:59 as a string of four digits

1) how many contain for different strings 4 values e.g. 02:43

i got is as 290 don't think its right

since there are
01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,12 = 10

There is also 10, 13,14, ... ,19, 20,21,23,24 as possible openers

Then you need to consider the 3rd digit comes from a smaller set than the 4th digit.

I would be using a tree diagram - at least an imagined one as there are lots of branches.

For the second example I would probably consider, separately, the alternative position of the different digit displayed. And again satisfy thoughts with a tree diagram.
 
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