Is it possible to form six prime numbers using three distinct digits?

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    2015
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenge of forming six prime numbers using three distinct digits. Participants explored combinations of digits and their permutations, ultimately determining that it is not possible to select three distinct digits such that all six permutations yield prime numbers. The example of digits 1, 2, and 5 was used to illustrate the permutations, which include 125, 152, 215, 251, 512, and 521. The conclusion drawn is that while permutations can be generated, they do not all result in prime numbers.

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Here is this week's POTW, which marks my first anniversary of being the University POTW Director:

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Given three distinct digits, six numbers can be formed such that each of the given digits appears exactly once in any of them; e.g., using 1, 2, and 5, you can form 125, 152, 215, 251, 512, and 521. Is it possible to choose the three digits in such a way that all of the six numbers so formed are prime?

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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We had excellent participation this week, with kiwi, johng, and petek all providing correct solutions. Congratulations to you!

petek's solution follows below:

None of the digits can equal 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 5, since a permutation ending in one of those digits will be divisible either by 2 or 5. Therefore, the three digits must occur in the set {1, 3, 7, 9}. The four possibilities of three digits are {1, 3, 7}, {1, 3, 9}, {1, 7, 9} or {3, 7, 9}. However, each of these sets of three digits contains at least one permutation that's composite:

371 = 7 x 53
931 = 7^2 x 19
791 = 7 x 113
973 = 7 x 139

(Some other permutations also are composite.)
 

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