6174

/WETH

6174: The Magic of Kaprekar’s ConstantIn the world of recreational mathematics, 6174 is known as Kaprekar’s Constant—a number that acts like a mathematical black hole for four-digit numbers. Discovered in 1949 by Indian mathematician D. R. Kaprekar, this mysterious four-digit integer possesses a property that continues to fascinate mathematicians and puzzle enthusiasts around the globe.The Algorithm: Kaprekar’s RoutineThe phenomenon relies on a surprisingly simple step-by-step process:Pick a Number: Choose any four-digit number where at least two digits are different (e.g., $3524$).Sort Descending: Rearrange the digits from highest to lowest to form the largest possible number ($5432$).Sort Ascending: Rearrange the digits from lowest to highest to form the smallest possible number ($2345$).Subtract: Subtract the smaller number from the larger number ($5432 - 2345 = 3087$).Repeat: Take the result, pad it with leading zeros if it drops below four digits, and run it through the exact same steps again.