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A library has two books of three copies each and three other books [#permalink]
Hovkial wrote:
A library has two books of three copies each and three other books of two copies each. What is the number of ways in which all the books can be arranged on a shelf such that copies of the same book remain together?

(A) 120

(B) 140

(C) 160

(D) 180

(E) 320


Since all copies of one type of book have to remain together, simplify the problem and consider all the copies of one type of book as one unit.

Using this simplified logic, we can see that we are asked to arrange five "units".

Five different "units" (books) can be arranged in 5! ways. Think of this as a permutation or as a combination problem where order matters.

Now, the copies within each unit can be arranged among themselves in only one way. Since all the copies are identical to each other, the order of arrangement within each unit does not make a difference. This logic can be extended to each of the five units.

Therefore, the total number of ways in which all five units with different numbers of copies each can be arranged is equal to 5! x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 = 120 ways.

ANSWER: (A)
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Re: A library has two books of three copies each and three other books [#permalink]
total types of books ; 3+2 ; 5
arrangement of 5 books can be done in 5! ways ; 120
IMO A


Hovkial wrote:
A library has two books of three copies each and three other books of two copies each. What is the number of ways in which all the books can be arranged on a shelf such that copies of the same book remain together?

(A) 120

(B) 140

(C) 160

(D) 180

(E) 320
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Re: A library has two books of three copies each and three other books [#permalink]
But we can arrange copies of the book as well, no?
I though the order of copies should matter as well, since for example we have copies of book A= C1, C2 and C3
C1C2C3
and
C2C1C3
are different arangements
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Re: A library has two books of three copies each and three other books [#permalink]
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

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Re: A library has two books of three copies each and three other books [#permalink]
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