Difference between revisions of "2023 WSMO Accuracy Round Problems/Problem 2"

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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
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There are <math>6!</math> permuations of "precal", meaning it takes Bob <cmath>6!\cdot5 = 720\cdot5 = 3600\text{ seconds} \implies\frac{3600}{60} = 60\text{ minutes}</cmath> to write all the permutations. There are <math>\tfrac{8!}{2!2!2!}=5040</math> permutations of "calculus", meaning it takes Bob <cmath>5040\cdot2 = 10080\text{ seconds}\implies \frac{10080}{60} = 168\text{ minutes}</cmath> to write all the permutations. Thus, our answer is <cmath>168-60 = \boxed{108}.</cmath>
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~pinkpig

Latest revision as of 11:41, 13 September 2025

Problem

When Bob is in precalculus, he gets bored and writes all the permutations in "precal". Since he is not very smart, it takes him 5 seconds to write each permutation. When Bob advances to calculus, he gets bored and writes all the permutations in "calculus". He is smart and can now write each permutation in 2 seconds. Find the positive difference in minutes between the time it takes for him to write the permutations of "precal" and "calculus".

Solution

There are $6!$ permuations of "precal", meaning it takes Bob \[6!\cdot5 = 720\cdot5 = 3600\text{ seconds} \implies\frac{3600}{60} = 60\text{ minutes}\] to write all the permutations. There are $\tfrac{8!}{2!2!2!}=5040$ permutations of "calculus", meaning it takes Bob \[5040\cdot2 = 10080\text{ seconds}\implies \frac{10080}{60} = 168\text{ minutes}\] to write all the permutations. Thus, our answer is \[168-60 = \boxed{108}.\]

~pinkpig