Difference between revisions of "2008 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 21"

(Problem)
(Solution 2)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
  
 
==Solution==
 
==Solution==
For the first man, there are <math>10</math> possible seats. For each subsequent man, there are <math>4</math>, <math>3</math>, <math>2</math>, and <math>1</math> possible seats. After the men are seated, there are only two possible arrangements for the five women. The answer is <math>10\cdot 4\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 1\cdot 2 = \boxed{480}</math>.
+
For the first man, there are <math>10</math> possible seats. For each subsequent man, there are <math>4</math>, <math>3</math>, <math>2</math>, or <math>1</math> possible seats. After the men are seated, there are only two possible arrangements for the five women. The answer is <math>10\cdot 4\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 1\cdot 2 = \boxed{(\text{C}) 480}</math>.
 +
 
 +
==Solution 2==
 +
Label the seats ABCDEFGHIJ, where A is the top seat. The first man has <math>10</math> possible seats. WLOG, assume he is in seat A in the diagram. Then, his wife can be in one of two seats, namely D or H. WLOG, assume she is in seat D. Now, in each structurally distinct solution we find, we know that there are <math>4! = 24</math> ways to arrange the 4 other couples. Let there be x structurally distinct solutions under these conditions. We know the answer must be <math>10\cdot 2\cdot 24\cdot x = 480x</math> possible seating arrangements, and x is a nonnegative integer. There is only one answer that is a multiple of <math>480</math>. So, our answer is <math>\boxed{(\text{C}) 480}</math>.
 +
 
 +
~ Milk_123
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
{{AMC10 box|year=2008|ab=B|num-b=20|num-a=22}}
 
{{AMC10 box|year=2008|ab=B|num-b=20|num-a=22}}
 +
{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 21:37, 6 November 2021

Problem

Ten chairs are evenly spaced around a round table and numbered clockwise from $1$ through $10$. Five married couples are to sit in the chairs with men and women alternating, and no one is to sit either next to or across from his/her spouse. How many seating arrangements are possible?

$\mathrm{(A)}\ 240\qquad\mathrm{(B)}\ 360\qquad\mathrm{(C)}\ 480\qquad\mathrm{(D)}\ 540\qquad\mathrm{(E)}\ 720$

Solution

For the first man, there are $10$ possible seats. For each subsequent man, there are $4$, $3$, $2$, or $1$ possible seats. After the men are seated, there are only two possible arrangements for the five women. The answer is $10\cdot 4\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 1\cdot 2 = \boxed{(\text{C}) 480}$.

Solution 2

Label the seats ABCDEFGHIJ, where A is the top seat. The first man has $10$ possible seats. WLOG, assume he is in seat A in the diagram. Then, his wife can be in one of two seats, namely D or H. WLOG, assume she is in seat D. Now, in each structurally distinct solution we find, we know that there are $4! = 24$ ways to arrange the 4 other couples. Let there be x structurally distinct solutions under these conditions. We know the answer must be $10\cdot 2\cdot 24\cdot x = 480x$ possible seating arrangements, and x is a nonnegative integer. There is only one answer that is a multiple of $480$. So, our answer is $\boxed{(\text{C}) 480}$.

~ Milk_123

See also

2008 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 20
Followed by
Problem 22
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png