Five Digits: Small or Large?

We are going to make the largest and smallest 3-digit numbers from five given digits.

 

Let's pretend we can only use the digits 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

 

To make the largest number

 

Start with the largest digit in the Hundreds column.

This is 6.

 

Then comes the next digit down in the Tens column.

This is 5.

 

Lastly comes the next digit down in the Units or Ones column.

This is 4.

 

The largest number is  654

 

To make the smallest number

 

Start with the smallest digit in the Hundreds column.

This is 2.

 

Then comes the next largest digit in the Tens column.

This is 3.

 

Lastly comes the next largest digit  in the Units or Ones column.

This is 4.

 

The largest number is  234

 

Example

Using any 3 of the digits from:

68671

form the smallest and largest 3-digit numbers that you can make.

Answer

Put the digits in order:

16678

 

1 is the smallest digit

6 is the next largest digit.

6 is the next largest digit even though it is the same as the last one.

 

Smallest number is 166.

 

8 is the largest digit

7 is the next digit down.

6 is the next digit down.

 

Largest number is 876.