PS-2

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Jul 09, 2014 2:54 am
A palindrome is a number that reads the same forward and backward. For example. 2442 and 111 are palindromes. If 5-digit palindromes are formed using one or more of the digits, 1, 2, 3, how many such palindromes are possible?

A) 12
B) 15
C) 18
D) 24
E) 27
To read the same forward and backward, the 5-digit integer must look as follows:
ABCBA.
The ten-thousands digit and the units digit must be THE SAME.
The thousands digit and the tens digit must also be THE SAME.

Number of options for the ten-thousands digit = 3. (1, 2, or 3)
Number of options for the units digit = 1. (Must be the same as the ten-thousands digit)
Number of options for the thousands digit = 3. (1, 2, or 3)
Number of options for the tens digit = 1. (Must be the same as the thousands digit)
Number of options for the hundreds digit = 3. (1, 2, or 3)
To combine these options, we multiply:
3*3*3*1*1 = 27.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:43 am
Here's another (slightly trickier) palindrome question to practice with: https://www.beatthegmat.com/palindrome-t263705.html

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:51 pm
Here's a palindrome question I created for BTG a longggg time ago (for their Math Challenge Question contest):
A palindrome is a word that is read the same backwards as forwards. For example, the words "BADAB," "IAGAI," and "HHHHH" are all palindromes.

How many 5-letter palindromes can be created using the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J?
For a full solution, watch the following YouTube video: https://youtu.be/qfiPnXIBx7g

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:56 pm
A palindrome is a number that reads the same forward and backward. For example. 2442 and 111 are palindromes. If 5-digit palindromes are formed using one or more of the digits, 1, 2, 3, how many such palindromes are possible?

A) 12
B) 15
C) 18
D) 24
E) 27
Take the task of building palindromes and break it into stages.

Stage 1: Select the ten-thousands digit
We can choose 1, 2, or 3
So, we can complete stage 1 in 3 ways

Stage 2: Select the thousands digit
We can choose 1, 2, or 3
So, we can complete stage 2 in 3 ways

Stage 3: Select the hundreds digit
We can choose 1, 2, or 3
So, we can complete stage 3 in 3 ways

IMPORTANT: At this point, the remaining digits are already locked in.

Stage 4: Select the tens digit
This digit must be the SAME as the thousands digit (which we already chose in stage 2)
So, we can complete this stage in 1 way.

Stage 5: Select the units digit
This digit must be the SAME as the ten-thousands digit (which we already chose in stage 1)
So, we can complete this stage in 1 way.

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 5 stages (and thus build a 5-digit palindrome) in (3)(3)(3)(1)(1) ways ([spoiler]= 27 ways[/spoiler])

Answer: E
--------------------------

Note: the FCP can be used to solve the majority of counting questions on the GMAT. For more information about the FCP, watch our free video: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-counting?id=775

Then you can try solving the following questions:

EASY
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/what-should- ... 67256.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/counting-pro ... 44302.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/picking-a-5- ... 73110.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 57412.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/simple-one-t270061.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/mouse-pellets-t274303.html


MEDIUM
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73194.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/arabian-hors ... 50703.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/sub-sets-pro ... 73337.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73180.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/digits-numbers-t270127.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/doubt-on-sep ... 71047.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 67079.html


DIFFICULT
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/wonderful-p- ... 71001.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/ps-counting-t273659.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 73915.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/please-solve ... 71499.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/no-two-ladie ... 75661.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/laniera-s-co ... 15764.html

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image