Hi Natalie,

I assume that by "you can use any of the numbers twice" you mean not 3 of 4 times. I also assume that order is important, that is 7475 and 7745 are different.

How many different 4-digit combinations are possible if you can use each of the 4 digits, 7, 4 and 5, as many times as you want? In this case there are 3 choices for each of the 4 digits so the answer is 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81.

How many of these use one of the digits 3 or 4 times? These have to be removed from the 81 you have. Concentrate on 7 for the moment. How many have either 3 or 4 sevens? There is only one containing 4 sevens, 7777. There are four that contain 3 sevens and a four, 4777, 7477, 7747 and 7774.

Can you complete the problem now?
Penny