Need Help w/ Beginner Permutations Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the number of valid 3-digit numbers that can be formed using the digits 0 through 7, with specific conditions regarding the starting digit and the last digit for various cases. The original poster presents attempts for multiple scenarios, including restrictions on the last digit and divisibility by 5.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster outlines their reasoning for each case, noting discrepancies between their calculations and the answers provided in their textbook. Participants question the validity of the textbook answers and explore different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the range of digits used.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, expressing agreement with their results and suggesting that the textbook answers may be incorrect. There is a shared exploration of the implications of the digits being limited to 6 instead of 7, leading to further inquiries about the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the maximum digit used in the problem, with some participants suggesting that the digits may only go up to 6, which could affect the validity of the provided answers. This has prompted discussions about the assumptions underlying the problem.

teetar
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Homework Statement


"A 3-digit number is made up using the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 at most once each. The number cannot start with 0. How many such numbers can be formed if:
a. there are no other restrictions
b. the number ends in a 5
c. the number ends in a 0
d. the number is divisible by 5 ?"

2. The attempt at a solution

a:
Three digits: _ _ _
First number can't be 0, 7 other possibilities: 7 _ _
Second number can be 0, 1 number has been used (of the 8), 7 more possibilities: 7 x 7 _
Third number can be any remaining 6: 7 x 7 x 6 = 294 Correct Answer is 180

b:
Three digits: _ _ _
First number can't be 0, 5 is used, 6 other possibilities: 6 _ _
Second number can be 0, 2 numbers used, 6 other possibilities: 6 x 6 _
Third Number is 5: 6 x 6 x 1 = 36 Correct Answer is 25

c:
Three digits: _ _ _
First number can't be 0, 0 is used, 7 other possibilities: 7 _ _
Second number can't be 0, 2 numbers used, 6 other possibilities: 7 x 6 _
Third Number is 0: 7 x 6 x 1 = 42 Correct Answer is 30

d:
Three digits: _ _ _
First number can't be 0, 7 other possibilities: 7 _ _
Second number can be 0, 7 remaining possibilities: 7 x 7 _
Third number is either 0 or 5 (divisible by 5): 7 x 7 x 2 = 98 Correct Answer is 55

I am sorry for this post being so large, but that is all my work. I am probably missing some simple step that is messing up all my answers, however, that is how my book has taught me to look at the problems. Any help with what I'm doing incorrectly would be greatly appreciated!
 
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It looks to me like the 'correct answers' are incorrect! I agree with your answers.
 
I get a different answer for d), I get 84 (mentally so this may be wrong).
 
I agree with the others, the "correct" answers seem wrong.
 
Wouldn't answer D be the sum of B and C?P.S.
Are you sure the digits go up to 7?

If the digits only go up to 6, then the given answers are correct, otherwise they're wrong.
 
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verty said:
I get a different answer for d), I get 84 (mentally so this may be wrong).

I get 78 for case (d).
 
Ray Vickson said:
I get 78 for case (d).

This is the correct answer.
 
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Perhaps instead of "correct answer" I should have put "book answer." I do not agree with the book's answers, and now that I have others who also disagree with them I think I'll e-mail my math teacher for clarification over the matter. Thanks!
 
Also thanks everyone for your clarifications on case d, as I didn't think of using the sum principle because I wasn't paying enough attention and just kept going with the product principle.
 
  • #10
teetar said:
Perhaps instead of "correct answer" I should have put "book answer." I do not agree with the book's answers, and now that I have others who also disagree with them I think I'll e-mail my math teacher for clarification over the matter. Thanks!

Did you notice Nathanael's (edited) post #5? All the book answers correspond to the numbers going up to 6, not 7.
 

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