Problem Solving

Max@Math Revolution wrote:[Math Revolution GMAT math practice question]

Five letters A, P, P, L and E are listed in a row. How many arrangements have at least one letter between the two Ps?

A. 24
B. 30
C. 36
D. 42
E. 48

Here's an approach that doesn't require us to subtract the bad arrangements.

Take the task of arranging the 5 letters and break it into stages.

Stage 1: Arrange the letters A, L, E in a row
We can arrange n unique objects in n! ways.
So, we can arrange the 3 letters in 3! ways (= 6 ways)
So, we can complete stage 1 in 6 ways

IMPORTANT: For each arrangement of 3 letters (above), there are 4 places where the two P's can be placed.
For example, in the arrangement AEL, we can add spaces as follows _A_E_L_
So, if we place each P in one of the available spaces, we can ENSURE that the two P's are never together.

Stage 2: Select two available spaces and place an P in each space.
Since the order in which we select the two spaces does not matter, we can use combinations.
We can select 2 spaces from 4 spaces in 4C2 ways (= 6 ways)
So we can complete stage 2 in 6 ways.

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete the 2 stages (and thus arrange all 5 letters) in (6)(6) ways (= 36 ways)

Answer: C

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- ... /video/775

You can also watch a demonstration of the FCP in action: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat ... /video/776

Then you can try solving the following questions:

EASY
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/what-should ... 67256.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/counting-pr ... 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


MEDIUM
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatori ... 73194.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/arabian-hor ... 50703.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/sub-sets-pr ... 73337.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatori ... 73180.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/digits-numbers-t270127.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/doubt-on-se ... 71047.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinatori ... 67079.html


DIFFICULT
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/wonderful-p ... 71001.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation ... 73915.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/permutation-t122873.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/no-two-ladi ... 75661.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/combinations-t123249.html


Cheers,
Brent