SOLUTION: Four speakers P, Q, R and S will address the meeting with the condition that speaker Q will speak after speaker S. Find the number of ways in which the order of speakers can be pre

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Question 1184223: Four speakers P, Q, R and S will address the meeting with the condition that speaker Q will speak after speaker S. Find the number of ways in which the order of speakers can be prepared?
Answer by ikleyn(52824) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

In this problem, instead of 4 objects, we consider 4-1 = 3 objects,


looking at the pair SQ as one unit.



For 3 objects, we have 3! = 6 possible permutations;

therefore, the answer to the problem's question is  3! = 6.

Solved and explained.


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Hello,  the previous solution was done assuming that speaker  Q  addresses  IMMEDIATELY  after speaker  S.

If the problem means  " after,  but not necessary immediately after ",  then the answer is   %281%2F2%29%2A4%21 = 24%2F2 = 12:

In half of  4! = 24 permutations,  Q  follows  S;  in other half of permutations,  S  follows  Q.