Problem:
When placing each of the digits  in exactly one of the boxes of this subtraction problem, what is the smallest difference that is possible?
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Answer Choices:
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Solution:
The smallest difference occurs when the minuend is as small as possible and the subtrahend is as large as possible. Thus is the smallest difference.
Answer: .
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions