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achar_varun · 2009 October 17th, 08:56 AM

I saw this question on the Manhattan GMAT test forum with the following options

A 6
B 24
C 120
D 360
E 720

another easy way to solve this is through elimination.

6 mobsters... means max possible arrangements are 6! = 720.... this is without any restrictions hence eliminate E

next taking a part of the restrictions...
suppose J & F always stand together, then possible arrangements are:
JF----
-JF---
--JF--
---JF-
----JF
5 possible arrangements for JF and 4! ways to arrange the remaining men..

therefore, total arrangements for this restriction is 5 X 4! = 120...

so this is when we consider only a part of the restrictions, hence 120 cannot be the answer... eliminate C.

therefore we have to get an answer which is greater than 120 and smaller than 360...

We are left with D... voila!

2009 October 17th, 08:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
achar_varun I JUST got here. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 29	I saw this question on the Manhattan GMAT test forum with the following options A 6 B 24 C 120 D 360 E 720 another easy way to solve this is through elimination. 6 mobsters... means max possible arrangements are 6! = 720.... this is without any restrictions hence eliminate E next taking a part of the restrictions... suppose J & F always stand together, then possible arrangements are: JF---- -JF--- --JF-- ---JF- ----JF 5 possible arrangements for JF and 4! ways to arrange the remaining men.. therefore, total arrangements for this restriction is 5 X 4! = 120... so this is when we consider only a part of the restrictions, hence 120 cannot be the answer... eliminate C. therefore we have to get an answer which is greater than 120 and smaller than 360... We are left with D... voila!