Question 1149683
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<pre>

The given word has 8 letters; they all are different.


If four-letter word contains letter Q, it can occupy any of 4 positions of the 4-letter word, giving you 4 primary options.


For the rest 3 positions, you have 7*6*5 = 210 choices, that are secondary options.


The full number of combinations under the question is then  4*210 = 840.    <U>ANSWER</U>
</pre>

Solved.


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From the context, I understand the meaning of this question in  <U>THIS</U>  way :


<pre>
    How many different four-letter <U>words</U> can be formed of the letters of the word EQUATION containing letter Q?
</pre>

@greenestamps interprets the problem differently. So he got different solution and different answer.



Since your formulation admits different interpretations, it is FAR from to be perfect.