Max@Math Revolution wrote:How many 4-digit numbers greater than 3,000 have the digits: 1, 3, 5, and 7?
A. 6
B. 9
C. 12
D. 15
E. 18
Take the task of creating 4-digit numbers and break it into
stages.
We'll begin with the
most restrictive stage.
Stage 1: Select the first digit (to go in the thousands place)
Since the 4-digit number must be GREATER THAN 3000, the first digit must be greater than or equal to 3
This means the first digit must be 3, 5 or 7.
So, we can complete stage 1 in
3 ways
IMPORTANT: We're told that the 4-digit number must contain the digits 1, 3, 5, AND 7. So, each digit is used ONCE
Stage 2: Select the hundreds digit
Since we selected a digit in stage 1, there are now 3 digits left to choose from
So, we can complete this stage in
3 ways.
Stage 3: Select the tens digit
There are now 2 digits left to choose from
So, we can complete this stage in
2 ways.
Stage 4: Select the units digit
We can complete this stage in
1 way.
By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 4 stages (and thus create a 4-digit number) in
(3)(3)(2)(1) ways (= 18 ways)
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- ... /video/775
You can also watch a demonstration of the FCP in action:
https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat ... /video/776
Then you can try solving the following questions:
EASY
-
https://www.beatthegmat.com/what-should- ... 67256.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/counting-pro ... 44302.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/picking-a-5- ... 73110.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 57412.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/simple-one-t270061.html
MEDIUM
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73194.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/arabian-hors ... 50703.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/sub-sets-pro ... 73337.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73180.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/digits-numbers-t270127.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/doubt-on-sep ... 71047.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 67079.html
DIFFICULT
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/wonderful-p- ... 71001.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 73915.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation-t122873.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/no-two-ladie ... 75661.html
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinations-t123249.html
Cheers,
Brent