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:

  1. First letter: Since each letter can only be used once, you have 3 choices (A, B, or C) for the first letter.
  2. Second letter: After choosing the first letter, there are 2 remaining choices for the second letter.
  3. 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: 3×2×1=63 \times 2 \times 1 = 6

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.

  1. First branch: Start with the first letter (A, B, or C). This gives you 3 branches.
  2. Second branch: From each of these branches, choose the second letter (only 2 remaining letters). Each branch splits into 2 sub-branches.
  3. 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.

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