Lesson 6- Using Digits To Make Numbers, Smallest And Largest Possible Numbers

Objective

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to make the largest and smallest possible numbers with a set of given digits

Example 1

Write any three numbers you can make using the following digits.

i.3, 7, 8, 2

ii.3, 0, 5, 1

iii. 9, 2, 1, 8

NOTE: these are open ended questions with several correct answers.

Solution

i.Using the digits 3, 7, 8, 2, you can make.

(a) 7,328  (b) 2,387   (c) 8,732.

ii.Using the digits 3, 0, 5, 1, you can make.

(a) 1,053  (b) 5,310  (c) 5,013.

iii. Using the digits 9, 2 , 1 , 8, you can make.

(a) 1,829  (b) 2, 189  (c) 9,281.

Example 2

Write the largest possible number using the following digits.

i.3, 7, 8, 2

ii.3, 0, 5, 1

iii. 9, 2, 1, 8

Solution

i.The largest possible number you can write using 3, 7, 8, 2 is 8,732.

ii.The largest possible number you can write using 3, 0, 5, 1 is 5,310.

iii. The largest possible number you can write using 9, 2, 1, 8 is 9,821.

Example 3

Write the smallest possible number using the following digits.

i.3, 7, 8, 2

ii.3, 0, 5, 1

iii. 9, 2, 1, 8

Solution

i.The smallest possible number you can write using 3, 7, 8, 2 is 2,378.

ii.The smallest possible number you can write using 3, 0, 5, 1 is 1035.

iii. The smallest possible number you can write using 9, 2, 1, 8 is 1,289.

NOTE: some examples are closed questions with only one correct answer.

Also note that a number cannot begin with a zero, so when you are writing the smallest possible number with zero look out for the next smallest number after the zero and use it as in example 3 ii.