Question

What is the smallest three-digit number formed by the digits 2, 0, and 3.
(a). 203
(b). 032
(c). 302
(d). None of these

Answer 1

Hint: To form the smallest three-digit number, arrange the digits in increasing order and make sure that zero is not the first number, since the number then becomes a two-digit number.

Complete step-by-step answer:
To obtain the smallest number from the given digits, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order such that the smallest digit comes at the left-most digit and the largest digit is in the rightmost digit. If there is zero, then it must be at the second digit to the left, because if zero is at the left-most digit, then it is no longer a three-digit number.
We are given the digits 2, 0, and 3.
We know that 0 is the smallest digit among 0, 2, and 3.
The next smallest digit is 2 and the last digit is 3.
Hence, we get 023 but when we have 0 as a digit, we need to put it in the second digit’s place to the left.
Hence, the smallest number is 203.
Hence, the correct answer is option (a).

Note: You might get the answer as 023 thinking, you need to arrange digits from smallest to the greatest but 023 is no longer a three-digit number, it is a two-digit number and hence, this answer is ruled out.