So you're confirming that it IS a good idea to connect all pins? I've read that they should be connected to gnd or V+, are you saying this is true, or that you don't see the need for this?With your single didgits -with decimal pt- connect center display DP to +12 via 820 Ω. On divide by 10 4017, do not forget to ground clock enable & reset so that it will count. The 4024 is functionall identical to 4040. I have not seen yet the caution that all IC inputs need to go somewhere, unused inputs go to ground or +V, except for the diode and gate, they can float.
Suppose I only use the divide by 10 output of a 4017, can the Q1-Q10 pins go to gnd OR V+ without shorting/heating anything internally?