Math Problem Statement

how may 4 digit numbers can be formed if the number must be divisible by 2 and digits cannot be repeated

Solution

To find how many 4-digit numbers can be formed under the given conditions, we must follow the rules:

  1. The number must be divisible by 2, meaning the last digit must be even.
  2. Digits cannot be repeated.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Identify the possible digits for each position

  • Thousands place (1st digit): The number cannot start with 0, so the possible choices for the first digit are from 1 to 9, giving us 9 choices.
  • Units place (4th digit): Since the number must be divisible by 2, the last digit must be one of the even digits. The even digits available are {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}, giving us 5 choices.

Step 2: Consider the restrictions

Since the digits cannot be repeated, after selecting digits for the 1st and 4th positions, the choices for the 2nd and 3rd positions will decrease.

Step 3: Calculate the number of valid combinations

  • Case 1: Last digit is 0
    If the last digit is 0, the remaining digits for the other positions can be chosen as follows:

    • For the thousands place, there are 9 options (1-9).
    • For the hundreds place, there are 8 options left.
    • For the tens place, there are 7 options left.

    So, the number of combinations when the last digit is 0 is: 9×8×7=5049 \times 8 \times 7 = 504

  • Case 2: Last digit is 2, 4, 6, or 8
    If the last digit is 2, 4, 6, or 8, the thousands place can be chosen from 1 to 9, but one even digit is used up, so:

    • For the thousands place, there are still 8 choices (since one of the even digits is already used).
    • For the hundreds place, there are 8 options left.
    • For the tens place, there are 7 options left.

    The number of combinations for each of these cases is: 8×8×7=4488 \times 8 \times 7 = 448

Since there are 4 even digits to choose from (2, 4, 6, or 8), the total number of combinations for this case is: 448×4=1792448 \times 4 = 1792

Step 4: Total number of combinations

Now, we can add the results of the two cases: 504+1792=2296504 + 1792 = 2296

Thus, 2296 different 4-digit numbers can be formed that are divisible by 2 and have no repeated digits.


Would you like more details on any step or have questions about this process?

Here are 5 related questions for deeper understanding:

  1. How would the solution change if digits could be repeated?
  2. What if the number had to be divisible by 5 instead of 2?
  3. How many 3-digit numbers can be formed with the same restrictions?
  4. How does allowing 0 in the thousands place affect the result?
  5. What if the number must be divisible by 3?

Tip: When solving problems with digit restrictions, break the problem into smaller cases and count each case separately.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Combinatorics
Divisibility
Permutations with restrictions

Formulas

Number of combinations = 9 × 8 × 7 when last digit is 0
Number of combinations = 8 × 8 × 7 when last digit is 2, 4, 6, or 8

Theorems

Divisibility rule for 2
Basic principles of counting

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12