Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 22:50 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 22:50
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,362
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,966
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,362
Kudos: 778,112
 [19]
Kudos
Add Kudos
19
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 8,423
Own Kudos:
4,979
 [1]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,423
Kudos: 4,979
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,362
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,966
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,362
Kudos: 778,112
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
abhishekmayank
Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Last visit: 28 Jan 2024
Posts: 201
Own Kudos:
59
 [2]
Given Kudos: 6
GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V33
GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V33
Posts: 201
Kudos: 59
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am confused. Whether correct combination here means only the combination of numbers an doesn't include the direction ?

Question is : either left-right-left or right- left-right, and when the correct three numbers from 1 to 60

If direction and sequence of 3 numbers both constitute a combination then we should factor the OR condition in the direction and the answer should be = 2*60*59*58

Kindly clarify..
User avatar
turbosea
Joined: 18 Jul 2023
Last visit: 04 Aug 2023
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 2
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
But what about the left-right-left and right-left-right? Wont there be 2 ways to reach a particular pattern?



Archit3110
from my understanding of the question the total ways possible will be one only because the lock shall open only when correct direction sequence is selected, so only one possible way

60*59*58
option C

Bunuel please check OA

Bunuel
A combination lock is set to open when the correct direction sequence is selected, either left-right-left or right- left-right, and when the correct three numbers from 1 to 60,inclusive,are selected in the correct order. If each number can be used only once, which of the following gives the number of different combinations that can be set to open the lock?

A. (30)(59)(58)
B. (60)(60)(60)
C. (60)(59)(58)
D. 2(60)(60)(60)
E. 2(60)(59)(58)
User avatar
vedha0
Joined: 10 Jan 2023
Last visit: 17 Mar 2024
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
124
 [1]
Given Kudos: 58
Posts: 123
Kudos: 124
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
there are 2 ways to reach a particular pattern but its still only 1 pattern. for example, 12-23-34 can be reached by keying in 12,23,34 from left to right. or using 34,23,12 from right to left. still the pattern in the same and we should only count once. so archit soln seems to be right.

turbosea
But what about the left-right-left and right-left-right? Wont there be 2 ways to reach a particular pattern?



Archit3110
from my understanding of the question the total ways possible will be one only because the lock shall open only when correct direction sequence is selected, so only one possible way

60*59*58
option C

Bunuel please check OA

Bunuel
A combination lock is set to open when the correct direction sequence is selected, either left-right-left or right- left-right, and when the correct three numbers from 1 to 60,inclusive,are selected in the correct order. If each number can be used only once, which of the following gives the number of different combinations that can be set to open the lock?

A. (30)(59)(58)
B. (60)(60)(60)
C. (60)(59)(58)
D. 2(60)(60)(60)
E. 2(60)(59)(58)
User avatar
sujoykrdatta
Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Last visit: 17 Nov 2025
Posts: 547
Own Kudos:
1,114
 [2]
Given Kudos: 13
Status:Mentor & Coach | GMAT Q51 | CAT 99.98
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V39
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V39
Posts: 547
Kudos: 1,114
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
A combination lock is set to open when the correct direction sequence is selected, either left-right-left or right- left-right, and when the correct three numbers from 1 to 60,inclusive,are selected in the correct order. If each number can be used only once, which of the following gives the number of different combinations that can be set to open the lock?

A. (30)(59)(58)
B. (60)(60)(60)
C. (60)(59)(58)
D. 2(60)(60)(60)
E. 2(60)(59)(58)


Say the code is 1-2-3. You need to get to 1 by rotating the dial left (clockwise) to reach 1, then right (counter clockwise) to reach 2 and then left to reach 3 OR the reverse, i.e. first right, then left and then right.
Thus, even if someone selected the correct numbers, the person would still have to get the above sequence correct, else the lock won't open.
For example, if someone uses the sequence L-L-L, it won't open. However, it is already known that the sequence is either L-R-L or R-L-R. Thus, while trying the sequence, someone would definitely use any one of those two. So, that information is redundant.
Thus, essentially, it is only about the choice of the 3 numbers in the correct order i.e., 60 * 59 * 58 ways

Note: To understand better, say, we have to key-in a password using the letters C, A, T, and while making the input, we can either use all caps or all small, both would be counted as equivalent passwords. To count the number of options, we will simply say CAT, CTA, ACT, ATC, TAC, TCA. We won't count the other case of all small since that is anyways equivalent to these 6. Thus, the answer is simply 3 * 2 * 1 = 6

Answer C
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,584
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,584
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105361 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts