Question:easy

How many 3-digit numbers can be formed using three distinct single digit prime numbers?

Show Hint

The single digit primes are 2, 3, 5, 7. Since the three digits must be distinct, count ordered selections: 4 x 3 x 2.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
  • 64
  • 24
  • 12
  • 4
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify the pool of digits.
Single digit primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, so the pool has $n = 4$ digits, and we must arrange $r = 3$ of them, in order, with no repetition, to build each 3-digit number.

Step 2: Use the permutation formula directly.
The number of ways to arrange $r$ items chosen from $n$ distinct items, where order matters and repetition is not allowed, is given by
\[ P(n, r) = \frac{n!}{(n-r)!} \]
Substitute $n = 4$ and $r = 3$:
$P(4, 3) = \dfrac{4!}{(4-3)!} = \dfrac{4!}{1!} = \dfrac{24}{1} = 24$

Step 3: Sanity check with a small direct count.
Pick any 3 of the 4 primes, say 2, 3, 5, leaving out 7. These three digits alone can be arranged in $3! = 6$ different orders (235, 253, 325, 352, 523, 532). There are $\binom{4}{3} = 4$ different ways to choose which 3 of the 4 primes to leave out, and each such choice gives 6 orderings, so the total is $4 \times 6 = 24$, matching the permutation formula.

Step 4: Match to the given options.
The computed count of 24 matches option (B) exactly; 64 assumes repeated digits are allowed, and 12 and 4 both undercount the true number of orderings.

Final Answer:
There are 24 such 3-digit numbers, option (B).
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