SOLUTION: In how many ways can 8 chairs be arranged in a row if there are 3 blue chairs, 4 red chairs and 1 balck chair? Show your solution

Algebra.Com
Question 1005889: In how many ways can 8 chairs be arranged in a row if there are 3 blue chairs, 4 red chairs and 1 balck chair? Show your solution

Answer by AnlytcPhil(1807)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In how many ways can 8 chairs be arranged in a row if there are 3 blue chairs, 4 red chairs and 1 black chair? Show your solution.
I will assume that the chairs of the same color are indistinguishable.

Of the 8 chair positions we can pick 3 of them to put the blue chairs
in.  That's (8C3) places to put the 3 blue chairs in.

Of the remaining 5 chair positions, we can pick 4 of them to place the
4 red chairs.  That's (5C4) chair positions to put the red chairs in.
 
Then we place the 1 black chair in the remaining (1C1) = 1 position.

Answer (8C3)(5C4)(1C1) = (56)(5)(1) = 280 ways.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, if we could tell all the chairs of the same color apart, we
would simply use permutations instead of combinations.
(8P3)(5P4)(1P1) = (336)(120)(1) = 40320 ways.

Edwin


RELATED QUESTIONS

Suppose you have 10 chairs that you want to put around a circular table. a) If all the... (answered by rothauserc)
Stella is playing musical chairs at a party. The chairs are arranged in a circle. She... (answered by stanbon)
In Anthony's classroom there are red chairs, yellow chairs, and blue chairs. There are 7... (answered by josgarithmetic)
4 chairs are arranged in a row. In how many different ways can 6 students be... (answered by ikleyn)
There are 912 yellow chairs and blue chairs altogether in an auditorium. The blue chairs... (answered by josmiceli)
Chairs are arranged in the hall into 18 short rows and 7 long rows. Each long row has 18... (answered by josgarithmetic,greenestamps,ikleyn,Edwin McCravy)
the chairs for a concert are arranged so that each row has the same number of chairs.... (answered by edjones)
In how many ways can 4 students be seated in a row of 4 chairs if Jack insists on sitting (answered by ikleyn)
In how many ways can 3 students be seated in a row of 3 chairs if Jack insists on sitting (answered by ikleyn)