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jmc

prealgebra intermediate

Problem

Benjamin is trying to break a combination lock. This particular type of lock has 5 digits from 0 to 9, and Benjamin just happens to know that there can be no repeated digits in the code for this type of lock. How many valid codes are there?
Solution
For his first digit, Benjamin has 10 possible choices. For his second digit, he has 9 possible choices, since he cannot repeat any digits. For his third, fourth, and fifth digits, he has 8, 7, and 6 possible choices. Therefore, there are possible codes.
Final answer
30,\!240