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Director
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Eight Alaskan Huskies are split into pairs to pull one of [#permalink]
 05 Oct 2004, 17:16
Question Stats:
0% (00:00) correct
 0% (00:00) wrong based on 0 sessions
Eight Alaskan Huskies are split into pairs to pull one of four sleds in a race. How many
different assignments of Huskies to sleds are possible?
OA to follow.
S
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Intern
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If I understood correctly, the question asks for the number of 2 people combinations out of 8 total. So:
n=8, r=2 -> 8!/2!(8-2)!=28
Combinations/Permutations is one of my weak areas, so please let me know if this is correct.
-Irene
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Director
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For m total numbers, dividing them into n distinct and equal groups of r each,
=m!/ (r!)^n
= 8!/(2!)^4
= 2520
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Intern
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Hmm... I guess I conviniently ignored the 4 possible sleds part...(probably to make it simpler for myself) 
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Director
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hardworker, do the group has to be distinct ? how do you decide that?
S
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Director
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Saurya,
I am soory for my wrong post about distinct or not groups... Just bad typing...
In this case groups are distincts cause there is 1 elected to race and 3 which will not take part of the race.
Another way to reach Hardworker result is the basic split calculation :
8C6.6C4.4C2 = 2520 which proves that hardworker also considered them as dinctinct.
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Director
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Twixt perhaps I am n ot getting your point. Look there are 4 groups. Now any one of the group will pull, So I guess there is no distinction between the groups. had it been 1,2,3 and 4, and if were asked one group to pull, then they would be distinct.
Let me know your opinion.
This is driving me insane!! 
S
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Director
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I am sorry I am afraid it was a second poor post anyway my last point il still available...
Distinct / not distinct : I did not properly read the question, I think there is no distinction between the groups here as we just know there are 4 sleds. I previously thought just 1 of them will race.
With no distinction the answer is 2520/4! = 105
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Director
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Well the OA is 2520 by Princeton. Now, can somebody help me to sort out this, more for conceptual reason.
S
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Director
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To be honest I am really puzzled...
Despite PR OA I still think there is no distinction here, anyway Hardworker, Venksune, Paul or another guru is welcome to bring his/her opinion...
PS : before your posts I thought I was OK with this prob questions ! Grrrrrrrrrrrr 
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GMAT Club Legend
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ways to select a pair out of 8 people for sled#1: 8C2
ways to select a pair out of 6 people for sled#2: 6C2
ways to select a pair out of 4 people for sled#3: 4C2
ways to select a pair out of 2 people for sled#4: 2C2
8c2 * 6c2 * 4c2 * 2c2 = 2520
The sleds are distinct because it's one of 4 sleds in a race. Hence, you don't divide by 4! I don't think you would like your winning sled to be mixed up with another number as it wins the race
_________________
Best Regards,
Paul
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GMAT Club Legend
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hardworker_indian wrote: For m total numbers, dividing them into n distinct and equal groups of r each,
=m!/ (r!)^n
= 8!/(2!)^4
= 2520
Cool formula hardworker. I never used it and I'll keep this one in mind
_________________
Best Regards,
Paul
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Director
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OUf...
I breath better, My first understanding of the problem was good...
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close
