Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 04:11 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 04:11
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: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,822
Own Kudos:
811,141
 [5]
Given Kudos: 105,878
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,822
Kudos: 811,141
 [5]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
madgmat2019
Joined: 01 Mar 2019
Last visit: 17 Sep 2021
Posts: 584
Own Kudos:
641
 [1]
Given Kudos: 207
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Social Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 580 Q48 V21
GPA: 4
Products:
GMAT 1: 580 Q48 V21
Posts: 584
Kudos: 641
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
eakabuah
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 18 May 2019
Last visit: 15 Jun 2022
Posts: 774
Own Kudos:
1,144
 [1]
Given Kudos: 101
Posts: 774
Kudos: 1,144
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATWhizTeam
User avatar
GMATWhiz Representative
Joined: 07 May 2019
Last visit: 17 Mar 2026
Posts: 3,374
Own Kudos:
2,193
 [1]
Given Kudos: 70
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Posts: 3,374
Kudos: 2,193
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Since there are 4 families and each family needs to stand together, let's assume 1 family as one block. Thus, there are total 4 blocks and each block has 3 people.

These families (4 blocks), can arrange themselves in 4P4 = 4! ways.

Each family(block) has 3 members. Now, wherever a family stands, they can arrange themselves in 3! ways.

For example, if a family has X, Y, and Z as three members...these three can arrange themselves in 3P3 = 3! ways.

Total arrangement = \(4! *3!*3!*3!*3! = 4! *6^4\)

The correct answer is Option D.
User avatar
exc4libur
Joined: 24 Nov 2016
Last visit: 22 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,680
Own Kudos:
1,469
 [1]
Given Kudos: 607
Location: United States
Posts: 1,680
Kudos: 1,469
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
Four families of three are lining up for a photo. How many ways can they line up if all of the members in each family must stand together?

A. 12

B. 4!3!

C. 7!

D. 4!6^4

E. 12!

Families = 4: [ABCD] = 4! arrangements
Each Family has 3 members: 3! arrangements
Total arrangements: \(4!*3!^4=4!6^4\)

Ans (D)
User avatar
unraveled
Joined: 07 Mar 2019
Last visit: 10 Apr 2025
Posts: 2,706
Own Kudos:
2,329
 [1]
Given Kudos: 763
Location: India
WE:Sales (Energy)
Posts: 2,706
Kudos: 2,329
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Four families of three are lining up for a photo. How many ways can they line up if all of the members in each family must stand together?

A. 12

B. 4!3!

C. 7!

D. \(4!6^4\)

E. 12!

Each family makes a row so there are four rows. In each row the members can be arranged in 3! ways
So possibilities for various rows are as follows:
1st - 4 ways(families)
2nd - 3 ways
3rd - 2 ways
4th - 1 way

Hence total possibilities = \(4! * 3! * 3! * 3! * 3! = 4! * (3!)^4\)

Answer D.
User avatar
Tracy95
Joined: 07 Sep 2019
Last visit: 05 Mar 2026
Posts: 93
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 174
Location: Viet Nam
Concentration: Marketing, Strategy
GMAT 1: 670 Q47 V35
WE:Brand Management (Consumer Packaged Goods)
GMAT 1: 670 Q47 V35
Posts: 93
Kudos: 139
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think it's (B).
Four families of three are lining up for a photo. How many ways can they line up if all of the members in each family must stand together?
Treat each family as one --> we have 4! ways to arrange the four families within the line
Within each family --> members can be arranged in 3! ways
For a total: 4! x 3!
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,630
Own Kudos:
5,190
 [1]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,630
Kudos: 5,190
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
4 families can be arranged in 4! ways and within each family total ways ; 3! ;6 for each of 4 ways the families can be arranged in 6^4 ways
IMO D; 4!*6^4


Four families of three are lining up for a photo. How many ways can they line up if all of the members in each family must stand together?

A. 1212

B. 4!3!

C. 7!

D. 4!6^4

E. 12!
avatar
Rinng0
Joined: 13 Aug 2013
Last visit: 16 Jul 2024
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
17
 [1]
Given Kudos: 89
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, General Management
Posts: 24
Kudos: 17
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Q - Four families of three are lining up for a photo. How many ways can they line up if all of the members in each family must stand together?

Lets consider each family of three as single unit, so 4 families = 4 items, so they can be arranged in 4! ways.
Now, within each families, 3 members can further be arranged in 3! ways.
Thus, number of they can be lined up in 4! * 3!*3!*3!*3! ways(3! for each 4 families)
After simplifying 4! * 6^4.
Answer is D
User avatar
minustark
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
Last visit: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 465
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 52
Status:Student
Location: United States
Concentration: Accounting, Finance
GMAT 1: 650 Q45 V35
GPA: 3.9
WE:Education (Accounting)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q45 V35
Posts: 465
Kudos: 402
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
4 families can line up in 4! ways. Each family has 3 members. So each family can line up in 3! ways. So the numer of ways are 4!*3!.

I'm wondering if one family has 2 members, another has 4 members, and the remaining has 3, what will be the answer?
User avatar
freedom128
Joined: 30 Sep 2017
Last visit: 01 Oct 2020
Posts: 939
Own Kudos:
1,377
 [1]
Given Kudos: 402
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
Posts: 939
Kudos: 1,377
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
4 families, each of which has 3 members. Members of the family must stay together.

Ways that 4 families line up with exactly same arrangement of their members= 4!

Within each family, its 3 members can swop their place
= 4!*(3!*3!*3!*3!)
= 4!*(6^4)

So, answer is (D)

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
chaitralirr
Joined: 17 Mar 2019
Last visit: 07 Oct 2021
Posts: 363
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 35
Location: India
Concentration: Healthcare, General Management
Schools:
GPA: 3.75
WE:Pharmaceuticals (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools:
Posts: 363
Kudos: 291
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The four families can arrange themselves in 4! Ways ABCD, BCDA.

The families comprise of 3 members they can arrange themselves in 3! Ways.

Total ways 4!*3!
IMO B

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
lacktutor
Joined: 25 Jul 2018
Last visit: 23 Oct 2023
Posts: 658
Own Kudos:
1,447
 [1]
Given Kudos: 69
Posts: 658
Kudos: 1,447
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The # of possibilities of Four families —> 4!

—> each family has 3 members —> 3!*3!*3!*3!

The total possibilities —>

\(4!*3!*3!*3!*3!= 4!*6*6*6*6= 4!*6^{4}\)

The answer is D

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,976
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,976
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
109822 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts