Math Problem Statement
How many 3-letter codes can be formed with the letters A, B, and C if each letter can only be used once in the code? Draw a tree diagram.
Solution
To solve this problem, we want to determine how many distinct 3-letter codes can be formed from the letters A, B, and C, where no letter is repeated.
Steps:
- First letter: Since each letter can only be used once, you have 3 choices (A, B, or C) for the first letter.
- Second letter: After choosing the first letter, there are 2 remaining choices for the second letter.
- Third letter: After the first two letters are chosen, only 1 letter remains for the third position.
Calculation:
- For the first letter, there are 3 possibilities.
- For the second letter, there are 2 possibilities (since one letter has already been used).
- For the third letter, there is only 1 possibility (since two letters have been used).
So, the total number of 3-letter codes is:
Tree Diagram Explanation:
To visualize this, you can draw a tree diagram that branches out based on your choices for each position in the 3-letter code.
- First branch: Start with the first letter (A, B, or C). This gives you 3 branches.
- Second branch: From each of these branches, choose the second letter (only 2 remaining letters). Each branch splits into 2 sub-branches.
- Third branch: Finally, choose the third letter (only 1 remaining). Each sub-branch leads to a single final letter.
I'll describe a rough breakdown of how the tree looks:
- Root: The beginning of the tree, representing the choice of the first letter.
- A branch: From A, you have two options: B or C.
- AB: From here, only C remains → ABC.
- AC: From here, only B remains → ACB.
- B branch: From B, two options remain: A or C.
- BA: From here, only C remains → BAC.
- BC: From here, only A remains → BCA.
- C branch: From C, two options remain: A or B.
- CA: From here, only B remains → CAB.
- CB: From here, only A remains → CBA.
- A branch: From A, you have two options: B or C.
Here’s the complete set of possible codes:
- ABC
- ACB
- BAC
- BCA
- CAB
- CBA
Would you like me to generate the tree diagram for you?
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Combinatorics
Permutations
Formulas
n! (Permutation formula for distinct objects)
Theorems
Basic Permutation Theorem
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 5-7