2002 AIME I Problems/Problem 1

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Problem

Many states use a sequence of three letters followed by a sequence of three digits as their standard license-plate pattern. Given that each three-letter three-digit arrangement is equally likely, the probability that such a license plate will contain at least one palindrome (a three-letter arrangement or a three-digit arrangement that reads the same left-to-right as it does right-to-left) is $\dfrac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n$

Solution

We first have a slice of apple PIE:

$\dfrac{1}{26}+\dfrac{1}{10}-\dfrac{1}{260}=\dfrac{35}{260}=\dfrac{7}{52}$

7+52=59

See also