Maths homework question

[LomasLongstrider]

Does anyone have any clue if the pattern described works for 7 digit numbers? Did we go wrong somewhere, or did dc and I just waste what felt like a lifetime on a trick question..?

We did 3 digits, and worked out eventually you get the same digits in the answer as in the answer from the sum before, it works for 5 digit numbers too (which took ages in itself), then we skipped 6 by accident and went straight to 7 so just kept going, but got to 10 sums before we gave up. I was expecting it to take 7 steps, if it could be done, as 3 digits took 3 steps and 5 digits took 5 steps, but we did an extra few just in case.

Also any ideas if it works for 6 digits?

Oh my Lord, sorry for the multiple posts not my day fs.

You are looking for something called Kaprekar's constant.
Sorry, I've had too much wine for more than that- but I think 7 digits dont work (and 5 digits goes to one of several numbers, rather than a single constant answer).

I haven’t even yet figured out what the “something interesting “ is, but isn’t there example even wrong? It says repeat the steps but 396 isn’t the smallest number you can make with those digits; that would be 369...

I haven’t even yet figured out what the “something interesting “ is, but isn’t there example even wrong? It says repeat the steps but 396 isn’t the smallest number you can make with those digits; that would be 369...

We've removed your multiple posts, @LomasLongstrider - not your fault at all, don't worry - there appears to be a slightly glitch which our Tech team are working on right now.

Yes we worked that out (we did 6 sums before we realised we'd already worked it out in 5), I'll Google that, thank you
(and I feel like I need wine myself now, my brain is fried).

I hope this seem right at least?

And thank you mnhq.

We've removed your multiple posts, @LomasLongstrider - not your fault at all, don't worry - there appears to be a slightly glitch which our Tech team are working on right now.

We've removed your multiple posts, @LomasLongstrider - not your fault at all, don't worrry - there appears to be a slightly glitch which our Tech team are working on right now.

Oh, thanks LongGrass I just figured out the 3-digit one. (Also don’t know where multiple posts came from; I’ve seen so many today I deliberately didn’t do anything but wait... a long time.. after hitting post.)

And I just realised I circled the wrong 63954 on the page . I feel like I've already had wine. The multiple posts from Lou about my multiple post cheered me up a bit/made me laugh at least .

Oh, thanks LongGrass I just figured out the 3-digit one. (Also don’t know where multiple posts came from; I’ve seen so many today I deliberately didn’t do anything but wait... a long time.. after hitting post.)

*posts.

Pic of the 5 digit numbers from other thread.

Ignore where I circled the wrong 63954 etc (fixed now). Dc also added that the pattern seems to keep repeating.

So not only did I post multiple threads by accident, I just commented on the wrong one. D'oh!

How do teachers mark about 30 of these sorts of questions, without going nuts??