Last visit was: 02 May 2026, 11:32 It is currently 02 May 2026, 11:32
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
705-805 (Hard)|   Combinations|                        
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 22,310
Own Kudos:
26,564
 [2]
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,310
Kudos: 26,564
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
nick1816
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 19 Oct 2018
Last visit: 12 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,841
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 707
Location: India
Posts: 1,841
Kudos: 8,525
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MonishBhawale
Joined: 15 Jun 2021
Last visit: 01 May 2025
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 271
Posts: 32
Kudos: 36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
DanTheGMATMan
Joined: 02 Oct 2015
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 380
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 380
Kudos: 268
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Interesting question, way easier to do total minus what can't happen:

­
User avatar
Purnank
Joined: 05 Jan 2024
Last visit: 29 Apr 2026
Posts: 680
Own Kudos:
617
 [1]
Given Kudos: 167
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GMAT Focus 1: 635 Q88 V76 DI80
Products:
GMAT Focus 1: 635 Q88 V76 DI80
Posts: 680
Kudos: 617
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1st- with 7XX numbers
1. 7__ Here with same remaining two digits only possible combinations are (11,22,33,44,55,66,88,99) = 8 combinations
2. 7_7 Here 9 combinations are possible except 777.
3. 77_ Here as well 9 combinations are possible 
Total for 7xx 8+9+9 = 26
Simlary if we check for 8XX and 9XX we will get 27 for each as 800 and 900 is possible as it wasnt in 7xx case because of given condition in question "..greater than 700.."
Total possible cases = 26 + 27 + 27 = 80.
Answer C.
User avatar
lnyngayan
Joined: 09 Mar 2023
Last visit: 13 Oct 2024
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 239
Posts: 27
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
SOLUTION

Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36

Three digit number can have only following 3 patterns:
A. all digits are distinct;
B. two digits are alike and third is different;
C. all three digits are alike.

We need to calculate B. B=Total - A - C

Total numbers from 700 to 999 = 299 (3-digit numbers greater than 700);
A. all digits are distinct = 3*9*8=216 (first digit can have only three values 7, 8, or 9);
C. all three are alike = 3 (777, 888, 999).

So, 299-216-3=80.

Answer: C.
Could you explain more why A is 3x9x8?
What are the constraints for the second and third digits?

Many thanks!
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 110,017
Own Kudos:
812,500
 [1]
Given Kudos: 105,989
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,017
Kudos: 812,500
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lnyngayan

Bunuel
SOLUTION

Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36

Three digit number can have only following 3 patterns:
A. all digits are distinct;
B. two digits are alike and third is different;
C. all three digits are alike.

We need to calculate B. B=Total - A - C

Total numbers from 700 to 999 = 299 (3-digit numbers greater than 700);
A. all digits are distinct = 3*9*8=216 (first digit can have only three values 7, 8, or 9);
C. all three are alike = 3 (777, 888, 999).

So, 299-216-3=80.

Answer: C.
Could you explain more why A is 3x9x8?
What are the constraints for the second and third digits?

Many thanks!
In case A, the digits are distinct. So, for the second digit, we cannot use the digit selected for the first one, and for the third digit, we cannot use the digits used for the first and second ones, hence 9 and 8 options, respectively.

Hope it's clear.
User avatar
Kinshook
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 5,992
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 163
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 5,992
Kudos: 5,865
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

Let the number be of the form

Case 1: AAB in which A is same and B is different
A = {7,8,9} 3 options
B = 0-9 except A: 9 options
Total cases = 3*9 = 27

Case 2: ABA in which A is same and B is different
A = {7,8,9} 3 options
B = 0-9 except A: 9 options
Total cases = 3*9 = 27

Case 3: BAA in which A is same and B is different
B = {7,8,9} 3 options
A = 0-9 except A: 9 options
Total cases = 3*9 = 27

Total cases = 27+27+27=81

Since the three-digit integers are greater than 700, 700 is excluded from total cases.

Total cases = 81 - 1 = 80

IMO C
User avatar
sujoykrdatta
Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 587
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Mentor & Coach | GMAT Q51 | CAT 99.98
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39
Posts: 587
Kudos: 1,191
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
We need 2 digit same and one different
Possible cases: XXY | XYX | YXX

XXY: X has 3 options (7/8/9) and Y has 9 options = 27 cases
XYX: X has 3 options (7/8/9) and Y has 9 options = 27 cases
YXX: Y has 3 options (7/8/9) and X has 9 options = 27 cases (this includes 700, so one case has to be removed) i.e. 26 cases
Ans = 27 + 27 + 26 = 80 (B)


Bunuel
SOLUTION

Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36

Three digit number can have only following 3 patterns:
A. all digits are distinct;
B. two digits are alike and third is different;
C. all three digits are alike.

We need to calculate B. B=Total - A - C

Total numbers from 700 to 999 = 299 (3-digit numbers greater than 700);
A. all digits are distinct = 3*9*8=216 (first digit can have only three values 7, 8, or 9);
C. all three are alike = 3 (777, 888, 999).

So, 299-216-3=80.

Answer: C.
User avatar
sidchandan
Joined: 24 Oct 2016
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 39
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Bunuel - S S D - We have to find out same, same, different - which can be arranged in 3! / 2! ways = 3 ways.

and for the blanks : Blank 1 is 7/8/9 - so 3 possibilities, Blank 2 is 1 possibility since the number is same, and Blank 3 is 9 possibilties since the number is position 1 and 2 cannot be used. So we have 3 X 1 X 9 = 27 ways X 3 ways of rearranging = 81 ways. But the correct answer is 80. Where am I incorrect in my understanding?

Bunuel
SOLUTION

Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36

Three digit number can have only following 3 patterns:
A. all digits are distinct;
B. two digits are alike and third is different;
C. all three digits are alike.

We need to calculate B. B=Total - A - C

Total numbers from 700 to 999 = 299 (3-digit numbers greater than 700);
A. all digits are distinct = 3*9*8=216 (first digit can have only three values 7, 8, or 9);
C. all three are alike = 3 (777, 888, 999).

So, 299-216-3=80.

Answer: C.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 110,017
Own Kudos:
812,500
 [1]
Given Kudos: 105,989
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,017
Kudos: 812,500
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sidchandan
Hi Bunuel - S S D - We have to find out same, same, different - which can be arranged in 3! / 2! ways = 3 ways.

and for the blanks : Blank 1 is 7/8/9 - so 3 possibilities, Blank 2 is 1 possibility since the number is same, and Blank 3 is 9 possibilties since the number is position 1 and 2 cannot be used. So we have 3 X 1 X 9 = 27 ways X 3 ways of rearranging = 81 ways. But the correct answer is 80. Where am I incorrect in my understanding?




The first digit has 3 options 7, 8, 9.

If the repeated digit is the same as the first digit, then the different digit has 9 options and we get 3 * 9. The second and third digits can switch, so that gives 3 * 9 * 2 = 54.

If the repeated digit is different from the first digit, then the repeated digit has 9 options. That gives 3 * 9 = 27. This would include 700, which is not allowed, so the total would be 26.

Therefore, 54 + 26 = 80.
User avatar
bhanu29
Joined: 02 Oct 2024
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 363
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 263
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 675 Q87 V85 DI79
GMAT Focus 2: 715 Q87 V84 DI86
GPA: 9.11
WE:Engineering (Technology)
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36

Observe the goal is to get to numbers of form 7XX 7X7 and 77X (excluding 700)

7XX -> 711,..766,788,799 (8 numbers)
7X7 -9 numbers (all except 7)
77X - 9 numbers (all except 7)

Total 26

For 8 _ _ and 9 _ _ you'll have 27 each because 800, 900 is included
So it's 80

Alternative method

total numbers 701 - 999 -> 299

all distinct -> 7 A B, 8 A B, 9 A B , 9*8*3 = 216
all same -> 3 numbers (777, 888, 999)

299 -216 - 3 = 80

Correct Answer C
User avatar
Adit_
Joined: 04 Jun 2024
Last visit: 02 May 2026
Posts: 762
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 125
Products:
Posts: 762
Kudos: 251
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Number of ways = 9*2+9 for each of 700+, 800+ and 900+ = 3(27) = 81. And we need to subtract 1 for including 700.
Thus 81-1=80.

Answer: Option C
Bunuel
Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many have two digits that are equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?

(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36
   1   2 
Moderators:
Math Expert
110017 posts
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts