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Quote:
During a war a Major is supposed to send 5 units of 6 soldiers in each unit to 5 different borders. Into how many groups the 30 soldiers may be divided?

A. \(30!/(5!)^6\)

B. \(30!/(5!)^5\)

C. \(30!/(6!)^5\)

D. \((30!/6!^5)5!\)

E. \(30!/(6!^5*5!)\)
[In the original question stem, we could send (say) just 5 soldiers -one to each border - from the 30 soldiers available, without violating the restrictions imposed.]

\(?\,\,:\,\,\,\# \,\,{\rm{groups}}\)

Border A: C(30,6) choices
Border B: C(24,6) choices
Border C: C(18,6) choices
Border D: C(12, 6) choices
Border E: C(6,6) choices or, if you prefer, the soldiers left ("no choices" then).

Using the Multiplicative Principle, we have:

\(?\,\,\, = \,\,\,\left( {{{30!} \over {6!\,\,24!}}} \right)\,\,\left( {{{24!} \over {6!\,\,18!}}} \right)\left( {{{18!} \over {6!\,\,12!}}} \right)\,\,\left( {{{12!} \over {6!\,\,6!}}} \right)\,\,\, = \,\,\,{{30!} \over {{{\left( {6!} \right)}^5}}}\)


This solution follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

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fskilnik.
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can some one please explain why it is not 30!*5! / 6!^5 , since first we have to select five groups of 6 armies, which is 30!/6!^5 and arranging this number group in five boarders will give (30!/6!^)* 5!.

please help me to understand, where i am wrong ???
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The intended answer can only be supported by making an assumption not warranted by the question stem.

The question stem refers to an equal number of soldiers being sent to each area.

This language does not preclude sending 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 to each area.

So the correct answer is much greater than the provided answer.
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