Sum of units digits in conditional permutations

CAT 2005 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Combinatorics

This is a hard Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2005 Slot 1 paper. It tests Combinatorics. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

Let S be the set of five-digit numbers formed by 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?

  1. A.

    228

  2. B.

    216

  3. C.

    294

  4. D.

    192

Answer

B

Explanation

The 5-digit number positions are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (from left to right). Odd positions are 1, 3, 5. Odd digits available: {1, 3, 5} (3 digits); Even digits available: {2, 4} (2 digits). Condition: Exactly two of the odd positions (1, 3, 5) contain odd digits. Thus, one odd position contains an even digit. Case 1: Position 5 (rightmost position) is occupied by an EVEN digit (2 or 4). Positions 1 and 3 get 2 odd digits from {1, 3, 5}: (32)×2!=6\binom{3}{2} \times 2! = 6 ways. The remaining 1 odd digit and 1 even digit fill positions 2 and 4: 2!=22! = 2 ways. Total numbers with 2 or 4 at unit position =6×2=12= 6 \times 2 = 12 each. Sum of unit digits for even unit digits =12×(2+4)=72= 12 \times (2 + 4) = 72.

Case 2: Position 5 is occupied by an ODD digit (1, 3, or 5). One of positions 1 and 3 gets an odd digit: (21)=2\binom{2}{1} = 2 choices for position, and 2 choices of remaining odd digits =4= 4 ways. Position 5 has 3 choices of odd digits. The remaining 1 odd digit and 2 even digits occupy the remaining 3 spots in 3!3! ways... Evaluating all such valid arrangements gives 16 occurrences for each odd digit at position 5. Sum =16×(1+3+5)=144= 16 \times (1 + 3 + 5) = 144. Total sum of unit digits =72+144=216= 72 + 144 = 216.

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