Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "2006 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 18"
(→‎Problem)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
−
A license plate in a certain state consists of 4 digits, not necessarily [[distinct]], and 2 letters, also not necessarily distinct. These six characters may appear in any order, except that the two letters must appear next to each other. How many distinct license plates are possible?  
+
A license plate in a certain state consists of 4 digits, not necessarily distinct, and 2 letters, also not necessarily distinct. These six characters may appear in any order, except that the two letters must appear next to each other. How many distinct license plates are possible?  
  
 
<math>\mathrm{(A) \ } 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } 10^3\times 26^3\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } 5\times 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } 10^2\times 26^4\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } 5\times 10^3\times 26^3\qquad</math>
 
<math>\mathrm{(A) \ } 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } 10^3\times 26^3\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } 5\times 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } 10^2\times 26^4\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } 5\times 10^3\times 26^3\qquad</math>
 +
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
 
There are <math>10\cdot10\cdot10\cdot10 = 10^4</math> ways to choose 4 digits.
 
There are <math>10\cdot10\cdot10\cdot10 = 10^4</math> ways to choose 4 digits.

Revision as of 11:55, 17 February 2019

Problem

A license plate in a certain state consists of 4 digits, not necessarily distinct, and 2 letters, also not necessarily distinct. These six characters may appear in any order, except that the two letters must appear next to each other. How many distinct license plates are possible?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } 10^3\times 26^3\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } 5\times 10^4\times 26^2\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } 10^2\times 26^4\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } 5\times 10^3\times 26^3\qquad$

Solution

There are $10\cdot10\cdot10\cdot10 = 10^4$ ways to choose 4 digits.

There are $26 \cdot 26 = 26^2$ ways to choose the 2 letters.

For the letters to be next to each other, they can be the 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and 4th, 4th and 5th, or the 5th and 6th characters. So, there are $6 - 1 = 5$ choices for the position of the letters.

Therefore, the number of distinct license plates is $5\times 10^4\times 26^2 \Longrightarrow \mathrm{C}$.

See also

2006 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 17 		Followed by
Problem 19
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2006_AMC_10A_Problems/Problem_18&oldid=103151"