my cheap push-button combination padlock..

[Trip Doctor]

As far as I know, the binomial theorem is not due to Newton. The number of ways to choose 5 things from 10 is a high school maths problem: (10, 5)=10 C 5=252.

Well what was done above isn't exactly the Binomial theorem, it's just the formula that's used in the Binomial theorem. Personally, the only thing I remember using this theorem for is for (x+y)^n expansions. Don't remember its details, nor how it was derived.

[lockedin]

Man, we all are nerds on here

[captainjerry]

As far as I know, the binomial theorem is not due to Newton.

pascal, sorry
but newton did do something there..

Are you sure the manufacturer claims 40,000 combinations?

i already threw the package away:-\
but i'm positive it was 40,000

If so, it may be possible to have other combinations that don't use 5 buttons

i can't really know because i've only got one, but what i can say is that when you go for more\less digitis than 5, your possibilities do decrease... besides, have you ever seen a lock with different ammounts of signs in their combos?

or maybe order is important sometimes?

the order doesn't matter from the same reason the lock can't be opened the way Raymond had suggestet:

Pick these simple locks by applying pressure to the shackle and push each button looking for the ones that are "tightened". Five will be very tight and the lock will open when you push the fifth button.

though this technique does work with some of my other (wheel type) combo locks, this lock is proof...
you can notice the small button on the bottom of the lock..
once all the buttons that are in the combination are pushed, pushing this button frees the shackle, rather then it just poping up byitself..
i did try applying pressure while pushing the extra putton, and that didn't seem to work either...

thanks though

i am starting to think that a cheap chinese padlock has actually beaten you guys

hmm?

[captainjerry]

i always forget spell-check
sorry

[felixthecat]

at my school theres at least 30 in this one corner that the school dosent want us to use
i was hoping someone knew how to open then

[maintenanceguy]

Even if all the locks of this type have a 5 number combination, it would be possible to enter a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, or 10 number combination.

[felixthecat]

woah you bought that lock for 5$
my school sells for 1$ ea

[Trip Doctor]

That's really cheap. I can't even find these for sale anywhere here.

[captainjerry]

Even if all the locks of this type have a 5 number combination, it would be possible to enter a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, or 10 number combination.

fine
taking all possible combinations in account (including 0) we're left with 1024 possibilities..
still 40,000 is a bit far-fetched.. isn't it?

[MBI]

at my school theres at least 30 in this one corner that the school dosent want us to use
i was hoping someone knew how to open then

I'm not a moderator here, but since no one else has chimed in on this I will.

Felix, opening someone else's lock to get into something you are not allowed access, is illegal. We do not condone illegal activities here. If you are in fact here here to gain knowledge to commit crimes, I suggest you go away and play your games somewhere else. I don't mean to be rude, but we don't need budding young criminals giving locksport, and this website, a bad name.