Social security numbers are of the form xxx-xx-xxxx The first way: they can be either of these two forms: EOE-OE-OEOE or OEO-EO-EOEO The 5 even digits are 0,2,4,6,8 The 5 odd digits are 1,3,5,7,9 For 5 evens and 4 odds, there are (5·5·5·5·5)(5·5·5·5) = 59 = 1953125 For 5 odds and 4 evens, there are (5·5·5·5·5)(5·5·5·5) = 59 = 1953125 Total 3906250 which is enough for 3800000 ------------------- The second way: 10·9·8·7·6·5·3·2 = 10! = 3628800, which is not enough for 3800000 ------------------ Edwin