Aptitude - Permutation and Combination - Discussion

Discussion Forum : Permutation and Combination - General Questions (Q.No. 14)
14.
In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'OPTICAL' be arranged so that the vowels always come together?
120
720
4320
2160
None of these
Answer: Option
Explanation:

The word 'OPTICAL' contains 7 different letters.

When the vowels OIA are always together, they can be supposed to form one letter.

Then, we have to arrange the letters PTCL (OIA).

Now, 5 letters can be arranged in 5! = 120 ways.

The vowels (OIA) can be arranged among themselves in 3! = 6 ways.

Required number of ways = (120 x 6) = 720.

Discussion:
36 comments Page 3 of 4.

B.madhan said:   10 years ago
It is very simple.

Given that vowels are come together means = All vowels are comes one place.

Means the word OPTICAL = OIA = 3! = 6 = vowels.

Constants = PTCL = 4! = 24.

(24*6 = 144).

Anoushka said:   9 years ago
Sir I haven't understood why are we taking 5. Instead of 5 we should take 4. As in previous questions also we were taking 8 and not 9.

Sonam said:   9 years ago
If the question is asked "no vowels come together" then what will be the answer?

Shubham mishra said:   8 years ago
Yes, I too have same doubt @Anoushka.

Simmie said:   8 years ago
@Sonam.

If non-vowels come together then,

Vowels OIA considering each as different units So its 3 units,
Non-vowels, PTCL as 1 units.
Its 4!=24 because they need to be arranged within themselves.

The vowels and non-vowels together they make 4 units..4!=24(its like consider "PTCL" as "x" ..now arranging them with vowels would be OIAX,OAIX,AIOX,IOAX,IAOX......i.e....4!)

So now,

Vowels and non-vowels = 4! = 24,
Non-vowels = 4! = 24,
24 * 24 = 576.

Mahesh Babu said:   8 years ago
@ Simmie.

You did a mistake the correct procedure is;
Since no vowels come together, first arrange the 4 consonants in 4! ways.
Now, a vowel can be placed at the beginning of the consonants or at the end of the consonants or in between every two consonants.
_C_C_C_C_
They are 5 places to fill 3 vowels,
In these 5 places we can arrange the 3 vowels in 5!/2! ways(5p3 ways),
The number of words in which no vowels come together is,
4!*5!/2!=1440.

Sree vidya said:   8 years ago
When to use permutation & when to use a combination? Please, someone, explain it.

Thaslim said:   8 years ago
When order takes important place then it is a permutation.

In Combination, order doesn't play an important role.

BadShah KinG said:   8 years ago
How many five different letter words can be formed out of the word "LOGARITHMS" ?

Can anyone solve this?

Manog said:   7 years ago
@Badshah King.

It is 10p5.


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