2006 Alabama ARML TST Problems/Problem 4

Problem

Find the number of six-digit positive integers for which the digits are in increasing order.

Solution

We pick six different digits $a$ through $f$ for the integer. None of them can be 0, or else it is a five digit integer or the digits are not in increasing order. Let's say that $a$ is the least digit of them all. $a$ is therefore the hundred-thousands digit. Let's say that $b$ is the second smallest integer. Then $b$ is the ten-thousands digit. etc.

For each group of $a-f$ we pick, there is only one arrangement such that each digit is in increasing order. There are $\binom{9}{6}=\binom{9}{9-6=3}=\boxed{84}$ ways to pick the digits, therefore there are 84 integers.

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2006 Alabama ARML TST Problems/Problem 4

Problem

Solution

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