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Math Expert
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Re: How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
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Bunuel wrote:
How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the letters of the word SUCCESS?

(A) 20
(B) 30
(C) 40
(D) 60
(E) 420


When we want to arrange a group of items in which some of the items are identical, we can use something called the MISSISSIPPI rule. It goes like this:

If there are n objects where A of them are alike, another B of them are alike, another C of them are alike, and so on, then the total number of possible arrangements = n!/[(A!)(B!)(C!)....]

So, for example, we can calculate the number of arrangements of the letters in MISSISSIPPI as follows:
There are 11 letters in total
There are 4 identical I's
There are 4 identical S's
There are 2 identical P's
So, the total number of possible arrangements = 11!/[(4!)(4!)(2!)]
--------------------------------

Now let's calculate the number of arrangements of the letters in SUCCESS:
There are 7 letters in total
There are 3 identical S's
There are 2 identical C's
So, the total number of possible arrangements = 7!/[(3!)(2!)] = 420

Answer: E

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Brent
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Re: How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the letters of the word SUCCESS?

(A) 20
(B) 30
(C) 40
(D) 60
(E) 420


total ways ; SUCCESS ; 7!/2!*2!
solve 420
IMO E
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How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
Total letters =7

Repeated S's=3
Repeated C's =2

Total number of letters possible= \(\frac{7!}{(3!*2!)} =420\)
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Re: How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
I guessed by selecting the only answer option that is a multiple of 7
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Re: How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
Expert Reply
Permutation with repetition is the concept applied
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Re: How many different strings of letters can be made by reordering the le [#permalink]
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