How Many Ways to Form a Six-Digit Odd Number Less Than 600,000?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the problem of forming a six-digit odd number that is less than 600,000 using the digits 1 through 9, with the condition that no digit may be repeated. Participants explore various approaches to calculate the total number of valid combinations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the first digit must be one of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to ensure the number is less than 600,000, while the last digit must be odd (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) to satisfy the odd number condition.
  • One participant proposes decomposing the problem into two cases based on whether the last digit is 1, 3, or 5 versus 7 or 9, leading to different choices for the first digit and arrangements of the remaining digits.
  • Another participant calculates the total number of combinations as 5 choices for the first digit, 10 for each of the next four digits, and 5 for the last digit, suggesting a total of 5(10)(10)(10)(10)(5), but acknowledges that this does not account for the restriction of not repeating digits.
  • There is a disagreement on the total number of ways to form the number, with one participant asserting that the number of options decreases as digits are chosen, while another provides a detailed breakdown of the cases leading to a total of 18,480 valid combinations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to calculating the total number of valid six-digit odd numbers less than 600,000, with no consensus reached on the final count or methodology.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations depend on the interpretation of how to handle the restrictions on digit selection, leading to potential variations in the total count. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the impact of digit repetition on the total combinations.

Punch
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A six-digit number is to be formed from the digits 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Find how many ways the six-digit number can be formed if the number must be odd and is less than 600,000 and no digit may appear more
 
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Punch said:
A six-digit number is to be formed from the digits 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Find how many ways the six-digit number can be formed if the number must be odd and is less than 600,000 and no digit may appear more than once

The side conditions mean that the leading digit must be one of 1,2,3,4,5, and the last digit 1,3,5,6,9.

Decompose into two groups, those with an odd leading digit and those with an even leading digit.

CB
 
Last edited:
its a six digit number
1st digit can be 1,2,3,4,5
2nd digit can be 0-9
3rd digit can be 0-9
4th digit can be 0-9
5th digit can be 0-9
6th digit can be 1,3,5,7,9

total ways = 5(10)(10)(10)(10)(5)
 
grgrsanjay said:
its a six digit number
1st digit can be 1,2,3,4,5
2nd digit can be 0-9
3rd digit can be 0-9
4th digit can be 0-9
5th digit can be 0-9
6th digit can be 1,3,5,7,9

total ways = 5(10)(10)(10)(10)(5)

No, as you choose the digits the number of options for the subsequent digits goes down.

CB
 
Hello, Punch!

A six-digit number is to be formed from the digits 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Find how many ways the six-digit number can be formed if the number must be odd
and is less than 600,000 and no digit may appear more than once.
The number is odd; the last digit must be 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9.
The number is less than 600,00; the first digit must 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.There are two cases to consider.

(1) The last digit is 1, 3 or 5: .$3$ choices.
. . .The first digit has only $4$ choices.
. . .There are $\text{P}(7,4)$ ways to arrange the other four digits.
There are: .$ 3\cdot4\cdot\text{P}(7,4) \,=\,10,080 $ ways.

(2) The last digit is 7 or 9: .$2$ choices.
. . .The first digit has all $5$ choices.
. . .There are $\text{P}(7,4)$ ways to arrange the other four digits.
There are: .$ 2\cdot5\cdot\text{P}(7,4) \,=\,8,400 $ ways.

Therefore, there are: .$10,080 + 8,400 \:=\:18,480 $ ways.
 

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