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# How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab

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Intern
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Posts: 3
How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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08 Dec 2014, 05:24
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How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner table?

A. 16
B. 48
C. 96
D. 120
E. 720
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 08 Dec 2014, 05:26, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic, edited the question and added the OA.
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Posts: 44400
Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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08 Dec 2014, 05:31
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portfolio1 wrote:
How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner table?

A. 16
B. 48
C. 96
D. 120
E. 720

The number of arrangements of n distinct objects in a row is given by $$n!$$.
The number of arrangements of n distinct objects in a circle is given by $$(n-1)!$$.

The difference between placement in a row and that in a circle is following: if we shift all object by one position, we will get different arrangement in a row but the same relative arrangement in a circle. So, for the number of circular arrangements of n objects we have:

$$\frac{n!}{n} = (n-1)!$$.

So, the answer is (6 - 1)! = 5! = 120.

Check other SEATING ARRANGEMENTS IN A ROW AND AROUND A TABLE questions to practice.

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Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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26 Dec 2015, 21:25
How do we arrive at 6!/6? I had chosen the answer for 6! only. What is the logic behind this please?
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Posts: 5733
Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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26 Dec 2015, 21:36
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Anonamy wrote:
How do we arrive at 6!/6? I had chosen the answer for 6! only. What is the logic behind this please?

Hi,
in a normal row, say abcdef is the number of chair and mr x is one of the person sitting on these chairs...
in normal scenario/row , the moment x sits on a different chair a,b,c,d,e, or f, it is a new arrangement...
but it is different in case of a circle.. the seating arrangement is continous, there is no edge..
so say 1,2,3,4,5,6 are sitting on a,b,c,d,e,f respectively...
when they shift a sit to the right, the sitting arrangement becomes 6,1,2,3,4,5, which is different from 1,2,3,4,5,6( total 6 such arrangements)...
but in a circle 1,2,3,4,5,6 is same as 6,1,2,3,4,5 is same as 5,6,1,2,3,4.. because you are getting the same arrangement of people even if they have changed their seat because the relative positions have not changed.. that is why we divide by 6
Hope , the logic is clear
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Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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05 Jun 2016, 14:11
ways in which 6 friends can sit around a circular table = (6-1)! = 5! = 120
I wouldn't explain the logic again chetan has done it already very well
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How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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24 Jul 2017, 18:47
portfolio1 wrote:
How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner table?

A. 16
B. 48
C. 96
D. 120
E. 720

Formula to arrange $$n$$ distinct objects in circle $$= (n−1)!$$

Number of ways 6 friends can be arranged around a circular dinner table $$= (6 -1)! = 5!$$

$$5! = 5*4*3*2*1 = 120$$

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Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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26 Jul 2017, 16:10
portfolio1 wrote:
How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner table?

A. 16
B. 48
C. 96
D. 120
E. 720

Since we are seating 6 people around a circle, the people can be arranged in (6-1)! = 5! = 120 ways.

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Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab [#permalink]

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02 Sep 2017, 13:11
portfolio1 wrote:
How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner table?

A. 16
B. 48
C. 96
D. 120
E. 720

For a circle the formula departs from the traditional method so instead of 6! the formula is 5! (n-1!)

D
Re: How many ways can six friends be arranged around a circular dinner tab   [#permalink] 02 Sep 2017, 13:11
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