SOLUTION: In how many ways can 4 cars be parked in 5 distinct places arranged in a circle?

Algebra ->  Complex Numbers Imaginary Numbers Solvers and Lesson -> SOLUTION: In how many ways can 4 cars be parked in 5 distinct places arranged in a circle?      Log On


   

Question 1208395: In how many ways can 4 cars be parked in 5 distinct places arranged in a circle?
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
In how many ways can 4 cars be parked in 5 distinct places arranged in a circle?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

So, we have one vacant place and 4 occupied places.


If you mean circular permutations, then we may assume that the vacant place is in position "North",

or "12 o'clock". Then 4 other positions are occupied by 4 cars, and we should calculate

the number of placements of 4 objects in 4 positions. It is precisely the number of permutations 
of 4 objects, which is 4! = 24.    ANSWER.

Solved.