Combinations
One of the earliest concepts in a probability and statistics class is counting the number of potential combinations. Let me give you an example. Kansas, just in the last year or so, reissued its standard license plates with four numbers and three letters. How many potential combinations do you think could be made?
Well, each of the four numbers can be 0 to 9, or 10 digits (10x10x10x10 is 10,000 possible combinations of the four numbers). But, there are three letters, of which there are a total of 26, so the number of possible combinations is 10x10x10x10x26x26x26 or just under 176 million. The point is, there are more than enough combinations to last for a very long time.
Let’s take this a little further. One set of letter combinations is “ASS,” and there are 10,000 of them (with the four numbers). The state probably doesn’t want to issue license plates that end in those three letters. Likewise, I’d guess the state doesn’t want to issue license plates with “0000” for the number. In fact, I think I read states reserve the “0000” license plate numbers for their display examples. There would be just under 18,000 of those.
I’m sure there are many other combinations of numbers and letters the state would decline to use. Each of these will knock out a bunch of potential combinations.
I was reading an article about how a woman had reserved a vanity license plate seven years ago with PB4UGO in some state. Someone must have complained because the state decided to rescind it, much to her displeasure.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV
Our world is so interconnected that we need things like license plates to identify ourselves with the authorities when necessary. The most important aspect in life is to recognize that we are blessed with what God has entrusted us, and to praise him accordingly.
