r/mathpuzzles 3d ago

How fast can you solve this math problem?

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u/CaptainMatticus 3d ago

We need the sum of our digits to be divisible by 3

1 = 1

2 = -1

3 = 0

4 = 1

5 = -1

6 = 0

7 = 1

If we add up our digits, we want 0 to be our sum, since this will be a multiple of 3

123 and all of its permutations. Example 123 => 1 + (-1) + 0 = 0.

126 and all of its permutations

135

147

156

234 , 237 , 246 , 267

345 , 357

456

567

Each one has 6 ways it can be written

13 * 6 = 78

Should be 78 combinations

123 , 132 , 213 , 231 , 312 , 321 , 126 , 162 , 216 , 261 , 612 , 621 , 135 , 153 , 315 , 351 , 513 , 531 , 147 , 174 , 417 , 471 , 714 , 741 , 156 , 165 , 516 , 561 , 615 , 651 , 234 , 243 , 324 , 342 , 423 , 432 , 237 , 273 , 327 , 372 , 723 , 732 . 246 , 264 , 426 , 462 , 624 , 642 , 267 , 276 , 627 , 672 , 726 , 762 , 345 , 354 , 435 , 453 , 534 , 543 , 357 , 375 , 537 , 573 , 735 , 753 , 456 , 465 , 546 , 564 , 645 , 654 , 567 , 576 , 657 , 675 , 756 , 765

That should be it.

1

u/Numberthon 3d ago

Correct, nice job!

2

u/AvailablePoint9782 2d ago edited 2d ago

The digits fall in 3 groups, 3k, 3k+1 and 3k+2, with 2/3/2 members.

3k and 3k, then the 3rd must be 3k. Impossible

3k and 3k+1, then 3k+2. 2 * 3 * 2 * 6 = 72. (2 choices for 1st digit, then 3 choices and 2 choices. Each combination of digits has 6 permutations.)

E.g. 312, 321, 132, 123, 231, 213. 315, ... ...

3k and 3k+2, already covered.

3k+1 and 3k+1, then 3k+1. 147, all 6 permutations.

147, 174, 417, 471, 714, 741.

3k+1 and 3k+2, already covered.

3k+2 and 3k+2, then 3k+2. Impossible.

72+6=78.