Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Permutations and combinations

Permutations and combinations — practice question

A group of friends contains $7$ men and $4$ women. Among the men, three are brothers: Ali, Ben and Charlie.
(a)[3]

Find the number of different ways to arrange the $7$ men in a line so that Ali and Ben are not next to each other.

(b)[3]

Find the number of different ways to arrange the $7$ men and $4$ women in a line with all the men together and all the women together.

(c)[2]

In how many different ways can the $7$ men and $4$ women be split into a group of $6$, a group of $3$ and a group of $2$ with no restrictions?

(d)[4]

The $7$ men and $4$ women are split at random into a group of $6$, a group of $3$ and a group of $2$. Find the probability that Ali, Ben and Charlie are all placed in the same group.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 12-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: A correct counting method for arrangements in which Ali and Ben stand together.

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