# The Odometer Puzzler

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-odometer-puzzler/31913>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 15, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-odometer-puzzler/31913 "2009-06-15T17:40:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Caller\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8797f3/32.png) [@Caller\_X](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caller_X)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-odometer-puzzler/31913/1 "2009-06-15T17:40:31Z")

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Tom/Ray (the one who remembers the Puzzler) made it harder than it had to be. It’s not a probability problem, it’s combinatorics.  
  
  
  
 You start with ten digits, you rule out the number one, leaving you with nine digits. So it’s nine to the sixth power, or 81 x 81 x 81. Simpler, no decimal points, no thought.