Problem:
Using the letters , and , we can form five-letter words. If these words are arranged in alphabetical order, then the word occupies position
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Solution:
The last "word," which occupies position , is . Immediately preceding this we have , , , , and . The alphabetic position of the word is consequently .
Answer: .
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions