Analyzing the Setup
We are tasked with finding the number of four-digit numbers formed using the set {0,1,2,3,4,5} that are strictly greater than 4321. Since repetition is allowed, each position can be filled by any of the 6 available digits.
Note that a "four-digit number" implies the first digit cannot be 0. However, in standard lexicographical counting problems of this type, we typically treat the positions as independent slots unless specified otherwise. We will proceed by partitioning the search space based on the thousands, hundreds, tens, and units digits.
Case 1
The Freedom of the Five
If the thousands digit is 5, the number is automatically greater than 4321.
The remaining three positions can each be filled by any of the 6 digits. The number of ways is:
Case 2
The Four-Series
If the thousands digit is 4, we must examine the hundreds digit. To be greater than 4321, the hundreds digit must be greater than 3.
Thus, the hundreds digit can be 4 or 5 (2 choices). The remaining two positions can be any of the 6 digits. The number of ways is:
Case 3
The Forty-Three Series
If the first two digits are 4 and 3, we examine the tens digit. To be greater than 4321, the tens digit must be at least 2.
If the tens digit is 3,4, or 5 (3 choices), the number is already greater than 4321 regardless of the units digit. The units digit can be any of the 6 digits. The number of ways is:
Case 4
The Final Hurdle
If the first three digits are 4,3, and 2, we look at the units digit. To be strictly greater than 4321, the units digit must be greater than 1.
The valid choices for the units digit are {2,3,4,5}. This gives us exactly 4 possibilities.
The Grand Total
By summing the results from all mutually exclusive cases, we arrive at the total count:
The total number of four-digit numbers formed from the set {0,1,2,3,4,5} that are strictly greater than 4321 is 310.