In this activity, we are going to learn to make the largest and smallest three-digit numbers from three given digits.

 

Using only the digits 5, 4, and 8, we need to create the largest and smallest three-digit numbers possible.

We can only use each digit once.

 

To make the largest number:

 

Start with the largest digit in the hundreds place.

This is 8.

 

Then comes the next largest digit in the tens place.

This is 5.

 

Lastly, comes the smallest of the three digits in the ones place.

This is 4.

 

The largest possible number is 854 

We read this as eight hundred and fifty-four.

 

To make the smallest number:

Start with the smallest digit in the hundreds place.

This is 4.

 

Then comes the next largest digit in the tens place.

This is 5.

 

Lastly, comes the largest of the three digits in the ones place.

This is 8.

 

The smallest number is 458.

We read this as four hundred and fifty-eight.

 

 

Now that you've been shown the method to use, let's try an example question together. 

 

Example

Use each of the digits 686 to form the smallest and largest three-digit numbers that you can make.

Answer

6 is the smallest digit.

6 is the middle digit even though it is the same as the smallest here.

8 is the largest digit.

 

The smallest number is 668.

We read that as six hundred and sixty-eight.

 

The largest number is 866

We read that as eight hundred and sixty-six.

 

Let's try some questions now.