BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Sum of numbers

Expert replies
by ronnie1985 » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:14 am
A 6 digit number formed by 1,2,...6 such that no digit is repeated. What is the sum of all such numbers?
Follow your passion, Success as perceived by others shall follow you
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by sam2304 » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:41 am
Total nos = 6*5*4*3*2*1 = 720
smallest = 123456
largest = 654321

average = (smallest + largest)/2 = 777777/2 = 388888.5

sum = avg * n = 388888.5 * 720 = 279999720

Hope the approach is right. Is it the right answer ?
Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:55 am
ronnie1985 wrote:A 6 digit number formed by 1,2,...6 such that no digit is repeated. What is the sum of all such numbers?
Number of ways to arrange the 6 digits = 6! = 720.

Here's what the list of numbers looks like, from smallest to greatest:
123456, 123465, 123546....654231, 654312, 654321.

Sum of the numbers in red = 123456+654321 = 777,777.
Sum of the numbers in green = 123465+654312 = 777,777.
Sum of the numbers in blue = 123546+654231 = 777,777.

As we proceed from the edges to the center, the sum of each pair = 777,777.
The number of pairs = 720/2 = 360.
Thus, the sum = 360(777,777) = 279,999,720.

An alternate approach:

The number of ways to arrange the 6 digits = 6! = 720.
Each digit will appear in each position an equal number of times.
Thus, the number of times that each digit will appear in each position = 720/6 = 120.

The sum of the digits 1 through 6, inclusive = 1+2+3+4+5+6 = 21.
Since each digit will appear in each position 120 times, the sum for each position in the number = 120*21 = 2520.

Each position in the number represents a power of 10.
Thus, the sum for each position (2520) must be multiplied all of the powers of 10 contained in the 6-digit integer:
2520 * (10� + 10� + 10³ + 10² + 10¹ + 10�) = 2520*111,111 = 279,999,720.
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
Join the discussion