Problem Solving

cypherskull wrote:How many 5-letter words can be formed using the alphabet of English language that contain 2 different vowels and 3 different consonants?

A. 5C2 * 21C3
B. 5P2 * 21P3
C. 5C2 * 21C3 * 5!
D. 5P2 * 21P3 * 5!
E. 52 * 213 * 5!

As Mitch points out, the GMAT would never word a question this way. That said, here's one way to answer the question:

Take the task of creating 5-letter words and break it into stages.

Stage 1: Select the 2 vowels you'll be using
Since the order in which we SELECT the vowels does not matter, we can use combinations.
We can select 2 vowels from 5 vowels in 5C2 ways (= 10 ways)
So, we can complete stage 1 in 10 ways

If anyone is interested, we have a free video on calculating combinations (like 5C2) in your head: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-counting?id=789

Stage 2: Select the 3 consonants you'll be using
Since the order in which we SELECT the consonants does not matter, we can use combinations.
We can select 3 consonants from 21 vowels in 21C3 ways (= 1330 ways)
So, we can complete stage 2 in 1330 ways

NOTE: Now that we've selected the 5 letters, it's time to arrange them.

Stage 3: Arrange the 5 letters in a row.
This can be accomplished in 5! ways (120 ways)
So, we can complete stage 3 in 120 ways

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 3 stages (and thus create a 5-letter word) in (10)(1330)(120) ways

ORRR, we can say that all 3 stages can be completed in [spoiler](5C2)(21C3)(5!)[/spoiler] ways

Answer: C

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Note: the FCP can be used to solve the MAJORITY of counting questions on the GMAT. For more information about the FCP, watch our free video: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-counting?id=775

Then you can try solving the following questions:

EASY
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/what-should- ... 67256.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/counting-pro ... 44302.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/picking-a-5- ... 73110.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 57412.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/simple-one-t270061.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/mouse-pellets-t274303.html


MEDIUM
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73194.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/arabian-hors ... 50703.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/sub-sets-pro ... 73337.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 73180.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/digits-numbers-t270127.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/doubt-on-sep ... 71047.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatoric ... 67079.html


DIFFICULT
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/wonderful-p- ... 71001.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/ps-counting-t273659.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation- ... 73915.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/please-solve ... 71499.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/no-two-ladie ... 75661.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/laniera-s-co ... 15764.html

Cheers,
Brent

BetterThanU wrote: PS this is like grade 11 math cmon guys

First, most of the math tested on the GMAT doesn't go beyond grade 11. So, your comment is somewhat moot since it applies to almost all GMAT quant questions.
Second, the difficulty level of this question is probably in 600-700 range.
Third, this forum runs better if we refrain from chiding others.

Cheers,
Brent

GMATGuruNY wrote: The problem as written would not appear on the GMAT.
For one thing, the GMAT does not use notation such as 5C2 or 52P.

Agreed!
One reason for this is that it's often possible to solve counting questions using techniques other than applying the rules for combinations and permutations. So, giving answers with this notation would be too restrictive.

Another reason is that counting notation is not universal. For example, while some people might use the notation 5C2 to represent the idea of "5 choose 2," others use bracket notation as shown below.



Cheers,
Brent

Matt@VeritasPrep wrote:

Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:First, most of the math tested on the GMAT doesn't go beyond grade 11. So, your comment is somewhat moot since it applies to almost all GMAT quant questions.

Totally agree. The content required is actually junior high level, though the applications are significantly more difficult. (The level of the content is misleading: for example, the USAMO is "high school level", but the applications are difficult enough that the best students in the country take the test yet the median score is 4 out of 42.)

The GMAT is mostly about being very proficient in the basics - which few people are - and not missing tricky/nitpicky details under time constraints and test day stress: more than anything else, in my opinion, it tests the acuity of your _first instinct_. (If you don't have a good idea that you can build on almost immediately, the clock will get you.) So the questions are less deep insight and more pattern recognition and attention to detail.

Definitely!
For example, although the concept of EVEN and ODD integers is taught in elementary school, some of the GMAT questions that test this concept would many seasoned math teachers.

Cheers,
Brent