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Back in Time

Age 14 to 16
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Secondary curriculum
  • Problem
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The only digits which will appear the same when reflected in the glass table-top are $0, 1, 3,$ and $8$. So it it necessary to find the number of times in a $24$-hour period that the display on the clock is made up only of these digits.

There are two possibilities for the first digit: $0$ or $1$.
There are four possibilities for the second digit: $0$, $1$, $3$ or $8$.
There are three possibilities for the third digit: $0$, $1$ or $3$.
There are four possibilities for the fourth digit: $0$, $1$, $3$ or $8$.

To find the total number of possible times, we can multiply together the number of possibilities for each digit.

Therefore the display and its reflection give the same time on
$2 \times 4 \times 3 \times 4 =96$ occasions





This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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