Last visit was: 22 Apr 2026, 20:43 It is currently 22 Apr 2026, 20:43
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,754
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,823
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,754
Kudos: 810,688
 [17]
Kudos
Add Kudos
17
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,976
Own Kudos:
16,901
 [10]
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,976
Kudos: 16,901
 [10]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
avatar
sthahvi
Joined: 30 Nov 2018
Last visit: 24 Jan 2022
Posts: 60
Own Kudos:
10
 [1]
Given Kudos: 194
Posts: 60
Kudos: 10
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,976
Own Kudos:
16,901
 [3]
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,976
Kudos: 16,901
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi sthahvi

We can try this way but then its going to be very long because there will be many cases instead of just one that you have thought

Case 1: G R G R G R G R G (No two Gs together)
Case 2: R GG R G R G R G (Two Gs together at one places)
Case 3: R GG R G R GG R (Two Gs together at two places)
Case 4: R GGG R G R G R (Three Gs together at one places)

Now you can see that you thought only the first case and not the other three which is why your answer with your calculation will be incorrect

I hope this help! :)



sthahvi
GMATinsight
Bunuel
In how many ways can 4 identical red balls and 5 different green balls be arranged in a line such that no two red balls are together?

A. 5*5!
B. 6*5!
C. 15*5!
D. 5*4!*5!
E. 6*4!*5!

Let's imagine a situation where there is one emply space between every two green balls

_ G _ G _ G _ G _ G _



Now, we have total 6 empty spaces out of which any 4 can be taken by red balls so that no two. of them are ever together

But we need only 4 spaces as we have only 4 red balls so total ways of choosing 4 spaces out of 6 \(= 6C4 = 15\)

Now, ways of arranging red balls at chosen spaces = 1 (all red balls are identical)
Now, ways of arranging Green balls at their places = 5! (all Green balls are different)

Total Outcomes \(= 6C4*1*5! = 15*5!\)

Answer: Option C

if we do it the other way around and fix the red balls such that _R_R_R_R_ then won't it be 6C5 and multiplied by 5! ?
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,964
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,964
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109754 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts