BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

A manager must select 2 people from a

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 2898
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:49 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 6 times
by Vincen » Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:37 am
A manager must select 2 people from a group of 4 employees. One person will be the shop steward and the other person will be the treasurer. In how many different ways can this be accomplished?

(A) 2

(B) 6

(C) 8

(D) 12

(E) 16

The OA is D.

What is the best way to solve this PS question? Should I use combinatorial theory?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 555
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:18 pmFollowed by: 12 members
Thanked: 180 times

by EconomistGMATTutor » Tue Dec 12, 2017 11:31 am
Hello Vincen.

Let's take a look at your question.

We have to pick 2 people from a 4 people group. And the order matter. We have 2 places: _____ _____.

For the first place we have 4 options and for the second place, we have 3 options.

So, there are 4*3=12 different ways to pick the 2 people.

So, the correct answer is D.

I hope this can help you.

Feel free to ask me again if you have a doubt.

Regards.
GMAT Prep From The Economist
We offer 70+ point score improvement money back guarantee.
Our average student improves 98 points.

Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1462
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 amFollowed by: 22 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 39 times

by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:26 am
Vincen wrote:A manager must select 2 people from a group of 4 employees. One person will be the shop steward and the other person will be the treasurer. In how many different ways can this be accomplished?

(A) 2

(B) 6

(C) 8

(D) 12

(E) 16
Since we have specific positions in the group, order matters, and so we have a permutation. Thus, the number of ways to select a steward and a treasurer from 4 employees is 4P2 = 4!/2! = 4 x 3 = 12 ways.

Answer: D

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:01 pm
Hi Vincen,

We're told that a manager must select 2 people from a group of 4 employees; one person will be the shop steward and the other person will be the treasurer. We're asked for the number of different ways that this can be accomplished.

Starting with the shop steward, there are 4 options. Once once of those people is chosen...
We then choose for the treasurer, so there will be 3 options.

Total ways = (4)(3) = 12

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1