Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (2024)

Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (1) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (2) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (3) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (4) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (5) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (6) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (7) Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (8)

Extensions for the Simplex Lock Problem

1 Any Number of Buttons

One way to extend the Simplex Lock Problem is to consider not just a 5-button lock,but locks with any number of buttons. If you have an n-button Simplex Lock, howmany combinations will it have?

2 Picking a Lock

The 5-button Simplex Lock has only 1,082 possible combinations. By comparison,this 3-dial lock (three wheels, each with digits 0-9) has 10 × 10 × 10 = 1, 000 possiblecombinations.

Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (9)

The total number of combinations is not very different, but the Simplex Lock ismuch harder to pick because it is harder to systematically test each possiblecombination.

In the lock above, you can simply list numbers 000-999, lowest to highest, andyou will test each combination. If you change the lock to 4 dials, the number ofcombinations is now 10,000, but you can still step through all of them using the samestrategy: List the numbers 0000-9999.

How could you systematically test each combination of a 5-button Simplex Lock?This requires finding a way to list them all without missing any and withoutduplication. Can you extend your algorithm for lisiting combinations to an n-buttonlock?

3 Stirling Numbers

A student in Oakland, California, came up with the following idea: You make apicture like Pascal’s triangle, except that in adding entries from one row to the next,each number on row N has a weight, which is its position within the row (startingfrom 1). For example:

Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (11)

The numbers in brackets are the weights. So for example the7 in the fourth row is1×1+3×2. The 50 in the fifth row is 7×2+12×3. And the sum of each row is(starting at n = 0) is the number of combinations in ann-button Simplexlock.”

The numbers in this triangle are related to the famous “Stirling numbers of thesecond kind”. Find out about Stirling numbers anduse them to find a solution to the Simplex lock problem.

Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (13)

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Making Mathematics: Simplex Lock Extension Projects (2024)

FAQs

How many combinations are there in a simplex lock? ›

The 5-button Simplex Lock has only 1,082 possible combinations. By comparison, this 3-dial lock (three wheels, each with digits 0-9) has 10 × 10 × 10 = 1, 000 possible combinations.

What is a math lock? ›

In simple terms, it's like performing calculations on a securely locked box with our numbers, eliminating the need for prior decryption.

What is problem posing in math? ›

Problem posing in mathematics means creating problems from the content. In mathematics, problem-posing refers to generating new problems and new questions aimed at exploring a given situation as well as the reformulation of a problem during the process of solving the problems.

How to calculate all possible combinations? ›

Combinations Formula:

C(n,r)=n!(r!(n−r)!) For n ≥ r ≥ 0. Also referred to as r-combination or "n choose r" or the binomial coefficient. In some resources the notation uses k instead of r so you may see these referred to as k-combination or "n choose k."

How many possible combinations are there for a 4 digit lock code? ›

The 4 digit lock has 10,000 combinations. but if you can recall even 1 or 2 digits of your original code, you reduce this down to 1000 or 100 combinations.

How do you solve simplex? ›

  1. Explanation of Simplex Method.
  2. Introduction.
  3. Step 1: Standard Form.
  4. Step 2: Determine Slack Variables.
  5. Step 3: Setting up the Tableau.
  6. Step 4: Check Optimality.
  7. Step 5: Identify Pivot Variable.
  8. Step 6: Create the New Tableau.

How many combinations of 1, 2, 3, 4 are there? ›

There are a total of 24 possible combinations that can be made using the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. These combinations can be generated by rearranging the digits in different orders.

What is a combination lock in math? ›

In mathematics, a 'combination' is a sequence of numbers where the order is irrelevant. When the order of the number matters, the sequence is known as a 'permutation'. If the combination of your lock is 123 and you enter 321, the safe remains locked.

Is opening a combination lock a permutation? ›

Permutations are for lists (order matters) and combinations are for groups (order doesn't matter). You know, a "combination lock" should really be called a "permutation lock". The order you put the numbers in matters. A true "combination lock" would accept both 10-17-23 and 23-17-10 as correct.

Can you take a picture of a math problem and get the answer? ›

To solve a math problem, point the camera at your math problem to take a picture and Photomath will show you the solution or solutions. Holding firmly and writing with a neat handwriting will make scanning faster.

What is the difference between problem posing and problem solving? ›

Problem-solving is defined as a method or process by which a solution is found to a mathematical problem (Mayer, 2002; NCTM, 2000). On the other hand, problem-posing is defined as reformulating a given problem or producing new problems or questions (Cai & Hwang, 2002; English, 2003; Silver, 1994).

How many possible combinations are there in a 3 digit lock? ›

There are 3 digits, each digit as 10 different possible answers, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9. In a probability problem, you multiply these 10 different possibilities by itself three times, like 10*10*10. This equals 1000, which is the total number of different possible codes.

How many possible combinations are there in a 5 digit lock? ›

Answer and Explanation:

Therefore, the number of 5 digit combinations, if digits are repeated, can be calculated as 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 100 , 000 combinations.

How many possible combinations are there in a 7 digit lock? ›

Therefore, there are 9 , 000 , 000 combinations of 7-digit numbers.

How many possible combinations are there for a 3 number lock? ›

A three digit lock can have its key value between range "000" - "999". So basically 1000 combinations have to be tried to open the lock.

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