5 boys and 4 girls have to stand in a line such that no two girls are next to each other. how many possible ways ?
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Permutation/Combination questions...
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
let us consider the 2 girls are together then
GG BGBGBBB
GG GBGBBBB
which gives 2*8*5!*2!=3840.
now the 5 boys and 4 girls can be arranged in
BGBGBGBGB
GBGBGBGBB
2*5!*4!=5760
there fore no two girls sit together is 5760-3840=1920 ways
GG BGBGBBB
GG GBGBBBB
which gives 2*8*5!*2!=3840.
now the 5 boys and 4 girls can be arranged in
BGBGBGBGB
GBGBGBGBB
2*5!*4!=5760
there fore no two girls sit together is 5760-3840=1920 ways
Where is this question from?
Also, would you please post the actual question (the one you posted is too ambiguous, we need the original language to solve) and the answer choices?
Based on what you posted, there's no way that this would be an actual GMAT question - there are too many ways in which it can be interpreted.
Also, would you please post the actual question (the one you posted is too ambiguous, we need the original language to solve) and the answer choices?
Based on what you posted, there's no way that this would be an actual GMAT question - there are too many ways in which it can be interpreted.

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto
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Stuart Kovinsky wrote:Where is this question from?
Also, would you please post the actual question (the one you posted is too ambiguous, we need the original language to solve) and the answer choices?
Based on what you posted, there's no way that this would be an actual GMAT question - there are too many ways in which it can be interpreted.
5 boys and 4 girls have to stand in a line so that no two girls are next to each other. How many distinct arrangements are possible. ?
Lets give each boy and girl a name just to make it more clear
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 - boys
G1 G2 G3 G4 - girls
I don't have the 5 answer choices. If you don't want to solve the question without the answer choices that is ok !
Last edited by TkNeo on Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
mmm I still think it has to be 17,280. I dont think that there is another way in which they can be seated with out being 2 girls together...
BGBGBGBGB
BBGBGBGBG
GBGBGBGBB
GBBGBGBGB
GBGBBGBGB
GBGBGBBGB
Update
---------------------------------------
I found 3 oher ways:
BGBBGBGBG
BGBGBBGBG
BGBGBGBBG
25,920 :D
BGBGBGBGB
BBGBGBGBG
GBGBGBGBB
GBBGBGBGB
GBGBBGBGB
GBGBGBBGB
Update
---------------------------------------
I found 3 oher ways:
BGBBGBGBG
BGBGBBGBG
BGBGBGBBG
25,920 :D
Last edited by cris on Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Well, not entirely sure but how about 6c4*5!*4!= 43,200 .. If it is right I will give my explanation for it.
Regards
Regards
You are missing out on many more possibilities like BGBGBBGBG or BGBGBGBBG or GBBGBGBBG or GBGBBGBBG .. there is a specific way to solve such questions, will write down those steps once my answer is confirmed.cris wrote:mmm I still think it has to be 17,280. I dont think that there is another way in which they can be seated with out being 2 girls together...
BGBGBGBGB
BBGBGBGBG
GBGBGBGBB
GBBGBGBGB
GBGBBGBGB
GBGBGBBGB
Regards
Yep, Gabriel you are right, I have several more ways missing.
There has to be an easiest way than figuring out all the ways...this will def. take me more than 2 minutes...
I am sure you got the correct answer gabriel, you master these combination and permutations questions :)
There has to be an easiest way than figuring out all the ways...this will def. take me more than 2 minutes...
I am sure you got the correct answer gabriel, you master these combination and permutations questions :)
Hi , I feel the answer should be 43200 distinct ways!. if my answer is correct I will explain you the procedure ! This is just one of the normal question in Perm and Combi.
Thanks
Senthil L
Thanks
Senthil L
















