Problem Solving

A telegraph has 5 arms and each arm is capable of 4 distinct positions, including the position of rest, what is the total number of signals that can be made.

255
256
512
1023
1024

i hope it is 1023

I think its 4 ^ 5 == 1024.

sreak1089 wrote:I think its 4 ^ 5 == 1024.

i think u need to subtract 1 from 1024 because there is a case where no signal is generated because all arms are in rest.

The answer is 1023;

4*4*4*4*4 = 1024 - 1 possibility where all are at rest = 1023

@real2008: great job with the perm/comb, but I have to complain about one thing: you are not providing explanations with your answers, which is against the first point listed in the "Etiquette for this forum" sticky thread. Remember, this forum was "built" to help each other, not merely to impress those who are not as fast as you in certain respects.

DanaJ wrote:@real2008: great job with the perm/comb, but I have to complain about one thing: you are not providing explanations with your answers, which is against the first point listed in the "Etiquette for this forum" sticky thread. Remember, this forum was "built" to help each other, not merely to impress those who are not as fast as you in certain respects.

Hi dude!

Please don't take it other way. I first post the answer to confirm the answer I reached is correct or not, as most of the said questions answers were not provided. Now as soon as answer is confirmed I try my best to post the explanation.

HTE.