Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 13:48 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 13:48
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: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
811,065
 [8]
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,065
 [8]
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 11,229
Own Kudos:
45,008
 [2]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,229
Kudos: 45,008
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
Harshjha001
Joined: 14 Sep 2019
Last visit: 08 Oct 2021
Posts: 54
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 54
Kudos: 25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
CEdward
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
Last visit: 14 Apr 2022
Posts: 1,161
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 332
Posts: 1,161
Kudos: 289
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The question is asking: P(exactly 2 vowels) = ?

Suppose we picked out the vowels and consonants in this order:

VVCC

5/9 x 5/9 x 4/9 x 4/9 = (5^2 x 4^2)/9^4

But, VVCC is only one possible order. Here are the others:

VCVC
CVCV
CCVV
VCCV
CVVC

So we must multiply 5^2 x 4^2/9^4 by 6 --> 6 x (5^2x4^2)/9^4
User avatar
ahujaparth10
Joined: 05 Jun 2020
Last visit: 09 Dec 2023
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V37
GPA: 3.3
Products:
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V37
Posts: 23
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hey Bunuel

We are asked to find out the possibilities of picking two Vowels & two consonants. When we do 5 x 5 x 4 x 4 - We find out the possible number of ways 2 vowels & 2 consonants are picked in a particular order (V-V-C-C). However, why is order important here & why are we multiplying by 6? I would consider VCVC to be the same as VVCC as it's still picking 2 vowels & 2 consonants.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,065
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ahujaparth10
Hey Bunuel

We are asked to find out the possibilities of picking two Vowels & two consonants. When we do 5 x 5 x 4 x 4 - We find out the possible number of ways 2 vowels & 2 consonants are picked in a particular order (V-V-C-C). However, why is order important here & why are we multiplying by 6? I would consider VCVC to be the same as VVCC as it's still picking 2 vowels & 2 consonants.

The reason we multiply by 6 is that there are 6 different sequences (ways) in which two vowels and two consonants can be chosen:

1. V-V-C-C
2. V-C-V-C
3. V-C-C-V
4. C-V-V-C
5. C-V-C-V
6. C-C-V-V

The probability of each of these sequences happening is 5/9 * 5/9 * 4/9 * 4/9. By accounting for all 6 sequences (6 is essentially the number of ways 4 letters VVCC can be arranged: 4!/(2!2!) = 6), we capture the full probability of choosing two vowels and two consonants.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,974
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,974
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
109818 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts