Akshay_Naik
4 managers, 2 vice-presidents and 1 president have to be seated in a circle for a meeting such
that the two vice-presidents sit on either side of the president. In how many ways can they be
seated?
A. 120
B. 240
C. 36
D. 48
E. 72
Solution: We have 4 managers, 2 vice-presidents and 1 president sitting at a circular table.
We are told that two vice-presidents sit on either side of the president. This means we have 2 scenarios there: \(VP_1 ,P, VP_2\) or \(VP_2, P, VP_1\)
Now let us assume VP, P, VP as a single entity because they will always be together. So we have 5 entities now including 4 managers.
Number of ways in which these 5 entities can sit around a round table \(= (5-1)!= 4!=24\). Because we know
number of ways in which n people can sit in circle is \((n-1)!\)These 24 arrangements can be done twice. Once in the case of \(VP_1 ,P, VP_2\) and other in the case of \(VP_2 ,P, VP_1\).
So total number of ways \(= 2\times 24 =48\)..
Hence the right answer is
Option D.