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dabaobao
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dabaobao why don't we need to divide the whole thing by 4!?

I was thinking the solution should be 12!/[(3!^4)*4!]

We don't divide by 4! since all boys are different, and hence, their order matters.
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dabaobao
In how many ways can one divide twelve different chocolate bars equally among four boys?

A) 12!/3!
B) 12!/4!
C) 12!/(3!)^4
D) 12!/(4!)^3
E) 12!/(3!4!)

Let the 4 boys be: A, B, C and D

Choose 3 chocolate bars for boy A. Since the order in which we can select the 3 bars doesn't matter, we can use combination.
We can select 3 bars from 12 bars in 12C3 ways.
12C3 = (12)(11)(10)/(3)(2)(1)

Choose 3 chocolate bars for boy B. There are now 9 bars remaining.
We can select 3 bars from 9 bars in 9C3 ways.
9C3 = (9)(8)(7)/(3)(2)(1)

Choose 3 chocolate bars for boy C. There are now 6 bars remaining.
We can select 3 bars from 6 bars in 6C3 ways.
9C3 = (6)(5)(4)/(3)(2)(1)

Choose 3 chocolate bars for boy D. There are now 3 bars remaining.
We can select 3 bars from 3 bars in 3C3 ways.
9C3 = (3)(2)(1)/(3)(2)(1)

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 4 stages (and thus distribute all 12 bars) in [(12)(11)(10)/(3)(2)(1)][(9)(8)(7)/(3)(2)(1)][(6)(5)(4)/(3)(2)(1)][(3)(2)(1)/(3)(2)(1)]

Simplify product to get: 12!/(3!)⁴

Answer: C


Note: the FCP can be used to solve the MAJORITY of counting questions on the GMAT. So, be sure to learn it.

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