How many 3-digit odd numbers can be formed from the digits 1,2,3,4,5,6 if:

(a) the digits can be repeated (b) the digits cannot be repeated?

Number of places [(x), (y) and (z)] for them = 3
Repetition is allowed and the 3-digit numbers formed are odd
Number of ways in which box (x) can be filled = 3 (by 1, 3 or 5 as the numbers formed are to be odd)
               m = 3
Number of ways of filling box (y) = 6                           (∴ Repetition is allowed)
               n = 6
Number of ways of filling box (z) = 6                           (∵ Repetition is allowed) 
              p = 6
∴  Total number of 3-digit odd numbers formed
                             = m x n x p = 3 x 6 x 6 = 108
(b) Number of ways of filling box (x) = 3                     (only odd numbers are to be in this box )  
                                   m = 3
Number of ways of filling box (y) = 5                                (∵ Repetition is not allowed)
                              n = 5
Number of ways of filling box (z) = 4                                 (∵ Repetition is not allowed)
                             p = 4
∴     Total number of 3-digit odd numbers formed
                                  = m x n x p = 3 x 5 x 4 = 60.