Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

please help me with this question

Expert replies
by sahilchahal » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:22 am
You have a six-sided cube and six cans of paint, each a different color. You may not mix colors of paint. How many distinct ways can you paint the cube using a different color for each side? (If you can reorient a cube to look like another cube, then the two cubes are not distinct.)
(A) 24
(B) 30
(C) 48
(D) 60
(E) 120
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by Anju@Gurome » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:42 am
sahilchahal wrote:You have a six-sided cube and six cans of paint, each a different color. You may not mix colors of paint. How many distinct ways can you paint the cube using a different color for each side? (If you can reorient a cube to look like another cube, then the two cubes are not distinct.)
A cube has 6 faces.
Number of ways to paint each of the 6 faces of the cube with 6 different colors = 6!
But some of these painted cubes will be same as they are just different orientation of same cube. We need to find the number of orientations a cube can have.

Let's assume face 1 is on top and face 2 is on the bottom. Now if we rotate the cube about its vertical axis, we can have any of the other 4 faces in front. Hence, for face 1 on top, there are 4 different orientations. Similarly all the 6 faces can be on top. For each of the faces on top, 4 orientations are possible. Hence, a cube can have 6*4 = 24 orientations.

Hence, number of distinct painted cubes = 6!/24 = 720/24 = 30

The correct answer is B.
Anju Agarwal
Quant Expert, Gurome

Backup Methods : General guide on plugging, estimation etc.
Wavy Curve Method : Solving complex inequalities in a matter of seconds.

§ GMAT with Gurome § Admissions with Gurome § Career Advising with Gurome §
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:57 am
sahilchahal wrote:You have a six-sided cube and six cans of paint, each a different color. You may not mix colors of paint. How many distinct ways can you paint the cube using a different color for each side? (If you can reorient a cube to look like another cube, then the two cubes are not distinct.)
(A) 24
(B) 30
(C) 48
(D) 60
(E) 120
Approach 1:
Total number of ways to paint the cube = (total number of ways to arrange the 6 colors)/(total number of ways to orient a cube).

Total number of ways to arrange the 6 colors = 6! = 720.
The total number of ways to orient a cube = 24.
Thus:
Total number of ways to paint the cube = 720/24 = 30.

Approach 2:
Count the number of ways to arrange the other 5 colors RELATIVE to the first color painted.

Once the first color is painted on the BOTTOM FACE, the number of options for the TOP FACE = 5. (Any of the 5 remaining colors.)
The remaining 4 faces form a CIRCLE around the middle of the cube: front face - left face - back face - right face.
The number of ways to arrange n elements in a circle = (n-1)!.
Thus, the number of ways to arrange the remaining 4 colors = (4-1)! = 6.
To combine the options above, we multiply:
5*6 = 30.

The correct answer is B.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion