SOLUTION: There are 3 math books and 3 history books that are to be arranged on a shelf. How many different ways can the books be arranged on the shelf if 2 history books are to be kept toge
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Question 1163208: There are 3 math books and 3 history books that are to be arranged on a shelf. How many different ways can the books be arranged on the shelf if 2 history books are to be kept together and 2 mathematics books are also to be kept together? The two math books should be immediately followed by the 2 history books and vice versa. Found 2 solutions by greenestamps, ikleyn:Answer by greenestamps(13198) (Show Source):
We have seen this question before, and the answer is the same: the problem is nonsense.
My guess is that whoever wrote the problem doesn't know what "vice versa" means.
"The two math books should be immediately followed by the 2 history books and vice versa."
That means 2 math books should be followed the 2 history books, and the 2 history books should be followed by 2 math books. That requires 4 math books (at least); but there are only 3.