Math Problem Statement
Antonia has a set of cards where each card has a shape on one side and a digit
from 0 to 9 on the other side. Any two cards with the same shape have the same
digit on the other side, and any two cards with different shapes have different
digits on the other side.
Antonia lays out the following six cards.
She then flips each card over in place and records the six-digit number they form.
For example, if there is a 4 on the other side of the cards with a triangle, a 2 on
the other side of the card with a circle, a 7 on the other side of the card with a
square, and a 5 on the other side of the card with a pentagon, then the six-digit
number they form would be 424 745.
Antonia notices that the six-digit number they form is divisible by 11. Determine
the largest and smallest possible six-digit numbers that this could be.
Note: You may find the following fact useful:
A number is divisible by 11 exactly when the sum of the digits in the odd digit
positions minus the sum of the digits in the even digit positions is divisible by 11.
For example, the number 138 248 is divisible by 11 since
(1 + 8 + 4)− (3 + 2 + 8) = 13− 13 = 0 and 0 is divisible by 11.
The number 693 748 is also divisible by 11 since
(6 + 3 + 4)− (9 + 7 + 8) = 13− 24 =−11 and−11 is divisible by 11
Solution
To solve this problem, we need to:
-
Formulate the six-digit number: Let the six-digit number formed by the cards be , where each letter represents a digit on the opposite side of each card.
-
Use divisibility by 11: According to the divisibility rule for 11, a number is divisible by 11 if: or equivalently, if this difference is divisible by 11.
-
Determine constraints on digits: Since each card has a unique digit from 0 to 9 and all digits on the cards are unique, the six-digit number will use six distinct digits.
-
Maximize and minimize: We aim to find both the smallest and largest possible six-digit numbers that satisfy the divisibility rule.
Step 1: Finding the Smallest Possible Six-Digit Number
Let’s start by constructing the smallest number by using the smallest six digits (0 through 5) in increasing order and checking for the divisibility rule. If this set doesn't satisfy divisibility by 11, we’ll try other combinations while keeping the number as small as possible.
- Smallest possible candidates: Start with 102345 (since the number can’t start with 0).
- Calculate , which is not divisible by 11.
- Continue checking upwards with the next smallest sets of digits until we find one that meets the criteria.
Step 2: Finding the Largest Possible Six-Digit Number
For the largest possible number, we start with the largest six digits (9 through 4 in decreasing order) and check each possibility in a similar way.
Ask a new question for Free
By Image
Drop file here or Click Here to upload
Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Number Theory
Divisibility Rules
Formulas
Divisibility rule for 11: (sum of digits in odd positions - sum of digits in even positions) ≡ 0 mod 11
Theorems
Divisibility rule for 11
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 9-12