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
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Why not E?

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:19 pm
Thanked: 3 times
GMAT Score:710
by massi2884 » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:42 am
[spoiler]Can you explain why do we have to assign 2 possible offices to 3 employees (2*2*2=8) like in OA D and not 3 possible employees to 2 offices (3*3=9) like in wrong answer E? Thanks.[/spoiler]

A certain company assigns employees to offices in such a way that some of the offices can be empty and more than one employee can be assigned to an office. In how many ways can the company assign 3 employees to 2 different offices?

A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
E) 9

[spoiler]Can you explain why do we have to assign 2 possible offices to 3 employees (2*2*2=8) like in OA D and not 3 possible employees to 2 offices (3*3=9) like in wrong answer E? Thanks.[/spoiler]
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:57 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Location: India
Thanked: 16 times

by shantanu86 » Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:00 am
IMO its D(8) and not 9. Here is the reasoning-
---------------------------------
Off-1 Off-2 Combinations
---------------------------------
3 0 1
2 1 3C1 = 3 (Choose 1 employee in 3 to occupy Off-2)
1 2 3C2 = 3
0 3 1
0 0 0 , this is invalid as all employees must be assigned an office.
---------------------------------

Therefore, total number of combinations is 8.

Hope it helps!!
Top
Join the discussion

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:14 am
massi2884 wrote:[spoiler]Can you explain why do we have to assign 2 possible offices to 3 employees (2*2*2=8) like in OA D and not 3 possible employees to 2 offices (3*3=9) like in wrong answer E? Thanks.[/spoiler]

A certain company assigns employees to offices in such a way that some of the offices can be empty and more than one employee can be assigned to an office. In how many ways can the company assign 3 employees to 2 different offices?

A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
E) 9

[spoiler]Can you explain why do we have to assign 2 possible offices to 3 employees (2*2*2=8) like in OA D and not 3 possible employees to 2 offices (3*3=9) like in wrong answer E? Thanks.[/spoiler]
Each of three employee can be assigned to either of offices, meaning that each has 2 choices implies # of ways the company can assign 3 employees to 2 different offices = 2 * 2 * 2 = 2^3 = 8

The correct answer is D.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 934
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 5:16 amFollowed by: 14 members
Location: AAMCHI MUMBAI LOCAL
Thanked: 63 times

by [email protected] » Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:42 pm
IMO its D(8) and not 9. Here is the reasoning-
---------------------------------
Off-1 Off-2 Combinations
---------------------------------
3 0 1
2 1 3C1 = 3 (Choose 1 employee in 3 to occupy Off-2)
1 2 3C2 = 3
0 3 1
0 0 0 , this is invalid as all employees must be assigned an office.
---------------------------------

Therefore, total number of combinations is 8.

A wonderful reasoning given...

I almost got the 4 options listed but could not somehow use the combinations formula for the 3 employees. So initially I got the answer as 4 which is not in the list...

Yes this is the correct method as it also gives you the overall picture. I liked it...

{a bit weak in probability}
IT IS TIME TO BEAT THE GMAT

LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!

Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 626
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:50 amFollowed by: 10 members
Location: Ahmedabad
Thanked: 31 times

by ronnie1985 » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:10 am
The question should have explicitly stated that both the offices must not be vacant.
Follow your passion, Success as perceived by others shall follow you
Top
Join the discussion
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:57 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Location: India
Thanked: 16 times

by shantanu86 » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:23 pm
ronnie1985 wrote:The question should have explicitly stated that both the offices must not be vacant.
Hi ronnie1985,

"In how many ways can the company assign 3 employees to 2 different offices? "

IMHO above lines clearly state that every employee must be assigned to one of the offices under the constrains set.

To cross check-
If it was allowed to not assign some/all of employees, the number of arrangements will become much more than 9, the max option in list.

Hope it helps!!
If you feel like it, hit thanks :)
Top
Join the discussion