A permutation problem

Fantasist · Admin Posts: 51 Join date: 2008-01-12

I had an assignment in C and I still haven't cracked a certain problem. I had to generate all combinations of 3-digit numbers from 1, 2 and 3, non-repeating. If it was repeating, it's simple. It's something like this:

Code:

for(i=1; i<=3; i++){
for(j=1; j<=3; j++){
for(k=1; k<=3; k++){
printf("\n%d%d%d", i, j, k);
}
}
}

But my teach didn't approve. she said that I had to use 'swapping of variables' in the loop like this:

Code:

for(i=1; i<=3; i++){
for(j=1; j<=3; j++){
for(k=1; k<=3; k++){
THE_MYSTERY_CODE
}
}
}

So I need the mystery code, which is supposed to swap vars. Any ideas?

Nortos · Posts: 32 Join date: 2008-01-22

O.o I have never used C in my life...can't help you sorry

Fantasist · Admin Posts: 51 Join date: 2008-01-12

It's not about C, it's about logic. Here, I'll put it in a different way:

Question: You have to generate all 3-digit numbers possible using 1, 2 and 3, without repeating anyone. So 123, 231, 132... are allowed, but 112, 222, 331 aren't allowed. So technically, there are 6 possible combinations:

123
132
213
231
312
321

All I did was put the first number constant and changed the other two numbers, I did that for 1, 2 and 3. So there are 6 possible combinations. Now, we have to use RGSS to generate, say print those 6 numbers using only loops and swapping.

Here's what swapping does:

Spoiler:

So here's the template, in a manner of speaking. It's the loop function in RGSS, I think you know it:

Code:

for i in 1 to 3
for j in 1 to 3
for k in 1 to 3
<mystery code which involves swapping of variables, but don't know WHICH variables>
end
end
end

So. I need that code inside the three loops.

Nortos · Posts: 32 Join date: 2008-01-22

I'm not too sure stumped but anyway here's a guess...

Code:

for i in 1 to 3
print i
end
for j in 1 to 3
swap
print j
end
for k in 1 to 3
swap_1
print k
end

def swap(1, 2, 3)
temp = 1
1 = 2
2 = 3
3 = 1
end

def swap_1(1, 2, 3)
temp = 1
1 = 3
2 = 1
3 = 2
end

probably wrong...

Fantasist · Admin Posts: 51 Join date: 2008-01-12

Hm, I don't get you, what does swap and swap_1 do exactly? both of them have 3 parameters. And do you mean to put the loops in one another? Even then, I don't think this would work.

I asked my teach about it and she said just one other person figured it out (GAH! And I was supposed to be best in C classes till then Sad

). I should go and ask him. But mind you, that guy has a very high IQ. In the beginning of college, there werenn't any classes, teachers just introduced themselves and soe of them gave u puzzles to solve. He solved all of them without a problem and I had a tough time cracking two of them.

Nortos · Posts: 32 Join date: 2008-01-22

I'm not going to uni for another 3 yrs only just 16, anyway I was too tired it was 1am to figure out how do properly

Fantasist · Admin Posts: 51 Join date: 2008-01-12

lol! nvm then Very Happy