SOLUTION: There are 5 people in a party. If each shakes the hands of the other four, how many hand shakes will there be?

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Question 186612: There are 5 people in a party. If each shakes the hands of the other four, how many hand shakes will there be?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

"5 choose 2":



Canxcel the two 2's into the 4

%285%2Across%284%29%2A3%2A2%2A1%29%2F%28%28cross%282%29%2A1%29%283%2Across%282%29%2A1%29%29 

Cancel the 3's



You are left with 5%2A2 or 10 ahndshakings.

If the people are A,B,C,D, and E, they are
 
 1. A shakes hands with B
 2. A shakes hands with C
 3. A shakes hands with D
 4. A shakes hands with E
 5. B shakes hands with C
 6. B shakes hands with D
 7. B shakes hands with E
 8. C shakes hands with D
 9. C shakes hands with E
10. D shakes hands with E

Edwin