The Mathematical Reason Your Passcode Should Repeat A Digit

MindYourDecisions November 3, 2025
Video Thumbnail
MindYourDecisions Logo

MindYourDecisions

@mindyourdecisions

About

Hey this is Presh Talwalkar. I studied Mathematics and Economics at Stanford and post interesting topics suggested by you and viewers around the world. Members get early access to videos YouTube members https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnj59g7jezwTy5GeL8EA_g/join Patreon members https://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions Every "coffee" helps me make more videos! https://ko-fi.com/mindyourdecisions https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=REZRY3QRQPYQA 2017 Shorty Awards Nominee in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Press http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/press My Books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Presh-Talwalkar/e/B008DKL6VG/ Send me your suggestions: click on "for business inquiries" to see my email address. *I am not accepting sponsorships/partnerships at this time, but I am happy to discuss great opportunities. For links in my video descriptions: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This has no effect on the price for you.

Video Description

There's a simple trick that could make your passcode harder to guess. Thanks to Robbie and Aman for suggesting this topic! Special thanks this month to: Daniel Lewis, Lee Redden, Kyle. Thanks to all supporters on Patreon and YouTube! http://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourDecisions/join 0:00 4 digits 4:09 6 digits 10:08 general case fingerprint User:The Photographersehh/info, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fingerprint_picture.svg 4 digits used in 6 passcode https://chatgpt.com/s/t_68f73d30e260819185b50a144c408c5a 3 digits used in 6 passcode https://chatgpt.com/s/t_68f73d1bc074819183642bbd9a664223 general formula https://chatgpt.com/s/t_68f6c761f6048191b25eb65cd25f65b2 OEIS https://oeis.org/A019538 Math StackExchange https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1143821/should-i-have-a-repeated-digit-in-a-4-digit-pin-code Members get early access to videos YouTube members https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnj59g7jezwTy5GeL8EA_g/join Patreon members https://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions Support the channel with a one-time donation https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=REZRY3QRQPYQA Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/MindYourDecisions?sub_confirmation=1 Send me suggestions by email (address at end of many videos). I may not reply but I do consider all ideas! If you purchase through these links, I may be compensated for purchases made on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. Book ratings are from January 2025. My Books (worldwide links) https://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/my-books/#worldwide My Books (US links) Mind Your Decisions: Five Book Compilation https://amzn.to/2pbJ4wR A collection of 5 books: "The Joy of Game Theory" rated 4.2/5 stars on 564 reviews http://amzn.to/1uQvA20 "The Irrationality Illusion: How To Make Smart Decisions And Overcome Bias" rated 4.2/5 stars on 55 reviews http://amzn.to/1o3FaAg "40 Paradoxes in Logic, Probability, and Game Theory" rated 4.2/5 stars on 81 reviews http://amzn.to/1LOCI4U "The Best Mental Math Tricks" rated 4.3/5 stars on 148 reviews http://amzn.to/18maAdo "Multiply Numbers By Drawing Lines" rated 4.5/5 stars on 57 reviews http://amzn.to/XRm7M4 Mind Your Puzzles: Collection Of Volumes 1 To 3 https://amzn.to/2mMdrJr A collection of 3 books: "Math Puzzles Volume 1" rated 4.4/5 stars on 138 reviews http://amzn.to/1GhUUSH "Math Puzzles Volume 2" rated 4.2/5 stars on 45 reviews http://amzn.to/1NKbyCs "Math Puzzles Volume 3" rated 4.3/5 stars on 38 reviews http://amzn.to/1NKbGlp 2017 Shorty Awards Nominee. Mind Your Decisions was nominated in the STEM category (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) along with eventual winner Bill Nye; finalists Adam Savage, Dr. Sandra Lee, Simone Giertz, Tim Peake, Unbox Therapy; and other nominees Elon Musk, Gizmoslip, Hope Jahren, Life Noggin, and Nerdwriter. My Blog https://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/ Twitter https://twitter.com/preshtalwalkar Instagram https://www.instagram.com/preshtalwalkar/ Merch https://teespring.com/stores/mind-your-decisions Patreon https://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions Press https://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/press

Boost Security: Digit Repeating Passcode Essentials

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
LK 3 Pack Screen Protector Compatible for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR Tempered Glass Global Recycled Standard

LK 3 Pack Screen Protector Compatible for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR Tempered Glass Global Recycled Standard

(65,893)
$8.48
FREE delivery Sat, Sep 20 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Otterbox Commuter Series case for iPhone XR - Frustration Free Packaging - Black

Otterbox Commuter Series case for iPhone XR - Frustration Free Packaging - Black

(5,871)
$29.95
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
50+ bought in past month
Loading...
NEW'C 3 Pack Designed for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR (6.1") Screen Protector Tempered Glass,Case Friendly Scratch-proof, Bubble Free, Ultra Resistant Global Recycled Standard ClimatePartner certified

NEW'C 3 Pack Designed for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR (6.1") Screen Protector Tempered Glass,Case Friendly Scratch-proof, Bubble Free, Ultra Resistant Global Recycled Standard ClimatePartner certified

(240,116)
$8.99
FREE delivery Sat, Sep 20 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR, 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film, 3-Pack

JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR, 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film, 3-Pack

(36,510)
$9.99
FREE delivery Sat, Sep 20 on your first order
4K+ bought in past month
Loading...
USB C Cable 6ft Type C Charger Cable 3.1A Fast Charging Nylon Braided USB A to USB C Charge Cord for Samsung Galaxy S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A32 A53 5G Android Phone Tablet PS5 LG

USB C Cable 6ft Type C Charger Cable 3.1A Fast Charging Nylon Braided USB A to USB C Charge Cord for Samsung Galaxy S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A32 A53 5G Android Phone Tablet PS5 LG

(4,378)
$8.41
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
400+ bought in past month
Loading...
45W Super Fast Charger USBC Charger, 2Pack 10FT Samsung Charger Fast Charging Cord Cable& Samsung Type C Charger Block for Galaxy S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 Ultra/Plus, Tab S10 S9 S8 S7,iPad,Android Phone

45W Super Fast Charger USBC Charger, 2Pack 10FT Samsung Charger Fast Charging Cord Cable& Samsung Type C Charger Block for Galaxy S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 Ultra/Plus, Tab S10 S9 S8 S7,iPad,Android Phone

(52)
$22.79
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Wireless Charger for Samsung - NANAMI 3 in 1 Charging Station for Multiple Devices,Fast Charger Stand Dock for Galaxy S25 S24 S23 Ultra S22 S21 S20 Z Flip Fold,Galaxy Watch 5/5 Pro/4/3,Galaxy Buds Pro

Wireless Charger for Samsung - NANAMI 3 in 1 Charging Station for Multiple Devices,Fast Charger Stand Dock for Galaxy S25 S24 S23 Ultra S22 S21 S20 Z Flip Fold,Galaxy Watch 5/5 Pro/4/3,Galaxy Buds Pro

(2,272)
$43.99
PrimeFREE delivery Sat, Jun 14
200+ bought in past month