Question

A telegraph has x arms and each arm is capable of x-1 distinct positions including the position of rest. The total number of signals that can be made is??

Answer 1

The number of possible signals =x(x-1)-1
I hope this can helps you

Answer 2

The total number of signals$=(x-1)^x-1$

Step-by-step explanation:

Given,

The total number of arms a telegraph = x and

Each arm capable = x - 1 distinct positions

To find, the total number of signals = ?

We know that,

Each arm be set = (x − 1) ways

∴ x arms can be set in,

=  (x − 1) × (x − 1) ×(x − 1) × (x − 1) × (x − 1) ways

∴ The total number of signals$=(x-1)^x-1$

Hence, the total number of signals$=(x-1)^x-1$