Question 15

Let S be the set of five-digit numbers formed by the digits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, using each digit exactly once such that exactly two odd positions are occupied by odd digits. What is the sum of the digits in the rightmost position of the numbers in S?

Solution

When the odd numbers occupy places 1 and 3, only 2 or 4 can be in the 5th place. Odd numbers can occupy places 1 and 3 in 3C2*2! = 6 ways. When 2 is at the 5th place, the other odd number and 4 can be arranged in the remaining places in 2 ways. So, 2 occurs at the end 6*2 = 12 times. Similarly, 4 occurs 12 times.

If odd numbers occupy places 1 and 5, then 2 or 4 should come in the 3rd place. The other two numbers can then be arranged in 2 ways in the remaining blanks. So, if 1 is in the first place and 5 is in the 5th place, the other numbers can be arranged in 2*2 = 4 ways. Similar for 1 and 3; 5 and 1; 3 and 1; 5 and 3; 3 and 5. So, 5 occurs 8 times, 1 8 times and 3 8 times. Similar is the case when odd numbers are placed in 3rd and 5th places.

On the whole, 4 occurs 12 times, 2 occurs 12 times, 5, 3 and 1 each occur 16 times. The total is, therefore, 48+24+80+48+16 = 216


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