How many different arrangements are there if Bob and Sally must always be seated next to each other?












0












$begingroup$


How many different arrangements are there in which Bob, Sally and $n$ other people sit down in a row of $n+3$ chairs if Bob and Sally must always be seated next to each other?



I tried putting Bob and Sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there are $2 times n!$ arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this.










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$endgroup$








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:43










  • $begingroup$
    I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:45






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:47










  • $begingroup$
    Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:53










  • $begingroup$
    Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
    $endgroup$
    – N. F. Taussig
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:07
















0












$begingroup$


How many different arrangements are there in which Bob, Sally and $n$ other people sit down in a row of $n+3$ chairs if Bob and Sally must always be seated next to each other?



I tried putting Bob and Sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there are $2 times n!$ arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:43










  • $begingroup$
    I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:45






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:47










  • $begingroup$
    Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:53










  • $begingroup$
    Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
    $endgroup$
    – N. F. Taussig
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:07














0












0








0





$begingroup$


How many different arrangements are there in which Bob, Sally and $n$ other people sit down in a row of $n+3$ chairs if Bob and Sally must always be seated next to each other?



I tried putting Bob and Sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there are $2 times n!$ arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




How many different arrangements are there in which Bob, Sally and $n$ other people sit down in a row of $n+3$ chairs if Bob and Sally must always be seated next to each other?



I tried putting Bob and Sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there are $2 times n!$ arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this.







combinatorics permutations






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Dec 7 '18 at 10:07









N. F. Taussig

43.9k93355




43.9k93355










asked Dec 7 '18 at 9:39









user607735user607735

103




103








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:43










  • $begingroup$
    I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:45






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:47










  • $begingroup$
    Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:53










  • $begingroup$
    Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
    $endgroup$
    – N. F. Taussig
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:07














  • 3




    $begingroup$
    What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:43










  • $begingroup$
    I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:45






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
    $endgroup$
    – Arthur
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:47










  • $begingroup$
    Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:53










  • $begingroup$
    Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
    $endgroup$
    – N. F. Taussig
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:07








3




3




$begingroup$
What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
$endgroup$
– Arthur
Dec 7 '18 at 9:43




$begingroup$
What have you tried? Where are you stuck?
$endgroup$
– Arthur
Dec 7 '18 at 9:43












$begingroup$
I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
$endgroup$
– user607735
Dec 7 '18 at 9:45




$begingroup$
I tired putting bob and sally next to each other in the first two chairs so then there is 2x(n!) arrangements but then I need to move them to the 2nd and 3rd chair and so on. Not exactly sure how to do this
$endgroup$
– user607735
Dec 7 '18 at 9:45




1




1




$begingroup$
Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
$endgroup$
– Arthur
Dec 7 '18 at 9:47




$begingroup$
Why not try to get an answer for $n = 0, 1$ or $2$ first to get a feel for what's going on?
$endgroup$
– Arthur
Dec 7 '18 at 9:47












$begingroup$
Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
$endgroup$
– Christoph
Dec 7 '18 at 9:53




$begingroup$
Is the problem stated correctly, so one seat remains empty?
$endgroup$
– Christoph
Dec 7 '18 at 9:53












$begingroup$
Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
$endgroup$
– N. F. Taussig
Dec 7 '18 at 10:07




$begingroup$
Please read this tutorial on how to typeset mathematics on this site.
$endgroup$
– N. F. Taussig
Dec 7 '18 at 10:07










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















2












$begingroup$

Hint: Consider Bob and Sally one unit taking two seats. So you have to place $n+1$ units at $n+2$ spots. In the end multiply by $2$ to account for Bob sitting on the left or right of Sally.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:55






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:56



















0












$begingroup$

Treat Bob and Sally as the same person (say, V) that takes up $2$ spaces, i.e. you put it in chair $m$ and then you can't put anyone in chair $m+1$. This means V cannot be in chair $n+3$. So, we place $V$ first in $n+2$ seats, and since it takes up $2$ seats, we now have $n+1$ seats for $n$ people. This means that the number of permutations is $(n+2)!$. Now, we can have $2$ "states" for $V$: one where Bob sits on chair $m$ and Sally on chair $m+1$, or Sally sits on chair $m$ and Bob sits on $m+1$. So, we multiply by $2$ to account, for a grand total of $2(n+2)!$ seatings arrangements.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    0












    $begingroup$

    You can evaluate the arrangements separately.



    So for instance, the different arrangements in which Bob and Sally sit together are $$(n+2)times 2$$
    Note that deciding whether Bob or Sally sits to the right doubles the possibilities.



    Now, all possible arrangements in which $n$ different people sit (it doesn't matter whether together or not) is simply $$n!$$



    All possibilities are hence $$n!times (n+2)times2$$
    Note, however, that you also have to consider the gap; the total amount of possibilities is thus $$n!times (n+2)times 2times(n+1)=2times(n+2)!$$






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
      $endgroup$
      – Christoph
      Dec 7 '18 at 10:00












    • $begingroup$
      @Christoph you're definitely right!
      $endgroup$
      – Dr. Mathva
      Dec 7 '18 at 10:26











    Your Answer





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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    2












    $begingroup$

    Hint: Consider Bob and Sally one unit taking two seats. So you have to place $n+1$ units at $n+2$ spots. In the end multiply by $2$ to account for Bob sitting on the left or right of Sally.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
      $endgroup$
      – user607735
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:55






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
      $endgroup$
      – Christoph
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:56
















    2












    $begingroup$

    Hint: Consider Bob and Sally one unit taking two seats. So you have to place $n+1$ units at $n+2$ spots. In the end multiply by $2$ to account for Bob sitting on the left or right of Sally.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
      $endgroup$
      – user607735
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:55






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
      $endgroup$
      – Christoph
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:56














    2












    2








    2





    $begingroup$

    Hint: Consider Bob and Sally one unit taking two seats. So you have to place $n+1$ units at $n+2$ spots. In the end multiply by $2$ to account for Bob sitting on the left or right of Sally.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Hint: Consider Bob and Sally one unit taking two seats. So you have to place $n+1$ units at $n+2$ spots. In the end multiply by $2$ to account for Bob sitting on the left or right of Sally.







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited Dec 7 '18 at 10:01

























    answered Dec 7 '18 at 9:52









    ChristophChristoph

    11.9k1542




    11.9k1542












    • $begingroup$
      yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
      $endgroup$
      – user607735
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:55






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
      $endgroup$
      – Christoph
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:56


















    • $begingroup$
      yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
      $endgroup$
      – user607735
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:55






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
      $endgroup$
      – Christoph
      Dec 7 '18 at 9:56
















    $begingroup$
    yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:55




    $begingroup$
    yes so it could be writing as n+2 C n+1
    $endgroup$
    – user607735
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:55




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:56




    $begingroup$
    Writing what as $binom{n+2}{n+1}$? The number of ways to seat the people is something else.
    $endgroup$
    – Christoph
    Dec 7 '18 at 9:56











    0












    $begingroup$

    Treat Bob and Sally as the same person (say, V) that takes up $2$ spaces, i.e. you put it in chair $m$ and then you can't put anyone in chair $m+1$. This means V cannot be in chair $n+3$. So, we place $V$ first in $n+2$ seats, and since it takes up $2$ seats, we now have $n+1$ seats for $n$ people. This means that the number of permutations is $(n+2)!$. Now, we can have $2$ "states" for $V$: one where Bob sits on chair $m$ and Sally on chair $m+1$, or Sally sits on chair $m$ and Bob sits on $m+1$. So, we multiply by $2$ to account, for a grand total of $2(n+2)!$ seatings arrangements.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$


















      0












      $begingroup$

      Treat Bob and Sally as the same person (say, V) that takes up $2$ spaces, i.e. you put it in chair $m$ and then you can't put anyone in chair $m+1$. This means V cannot be in chair $n+3$. So, we place $V$ first in $n+2$ seats, and since it takes up $2$ seats, we now have $n+1$ seats for $n$ people. This means that the number of permutations is $(n+2)!$. Now, we can have $2$ "states" for $V$: one where Bob sits on chair $m$ and Sally on chair $m+1$, or Sally sits on chair $m$ and Bob sits on $m+1$. So, we multiply by $2$ to account, for a grand total of $2(n+2)!$ seatings arrangements.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$
















        0












        0








        0





        $begingroup$

        Treat Bob and Sally as the same person (say, V) that takes up $2$ spaces, i.e. you put it in chair $m$ and then you can't put anyone in chair $m+1$. This means V cannot be in chair $n+3$. So, we place $V$ first in $n+2$ seats, and since it takes up $2$ seats, we now have $n+1$ seats for $n$ people. This means that the number of permutations is $(n+2)!$. Now, we can have $2$ "states" for $V$: one where Bob sits on chair $m$ and Sally on chair $m+1$, or Sally sits on chair $m$ and Bob sits on $m+1$. So, we multiply by $2$ to account, for a grand total of $2(n+2)!$ seatings arrangements.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        Treat Bob and Sally as the same person (say, V) that takes up $2$ spaces, i.e. you put it in chair $m$ and then you can't put anyone in chair $m+1$. This means V cannot be in chair $n+3$. So, we place $V$ first in $n+2$ seats, and since it takes up $2$ seats, we now have $n+1$ seats for $n$ people. This means that the number of permutations is $(n+2)!$. Now, we can have $2$ "states" for $V$: one where Bob sits on chair $m$ and Sally on chair $m+1$, or Sally sits on chair $m$ and Bob sits on $m+1$. So, we multiply by $2$ to account, for a grand total of $2(n+2)!$ seatings arrangements.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered Dec 7 '18 at 9:56









        KykyKyky

        444213




        444213























            0












            $begingroup$

            You can evaluate the arrangements separately.



            So for instance, the different arrangements in which Bob and Sally sit together are $$(n+2)times 2$$
            Note that deciding whether Bob or Sally sits to the right doubles the possibilities.



            Now, all possible arrangements in which $n$ different people sit (it doesn't matter whether together or not) is simply $$n!$$



            All possibilities are hence $$n!times (n+2)times2$$
            Note, however, that you also have to consider the gap; the total amount of possibilities is thus $$n!times (n+2)times 2times(n+1)=2times(n+2)!$$






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
              $endgroup$
              – Christoph
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:00












            • $begingroup$
              @Christoph you're definitely right!
              $endgroup$
              – Dr. Mathva
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:26
















            0












            $begingroup$

            You can evaluate the arrangements separately.



            So for instance, the different arrangements in which Bob and Sally sit together are $$(n+2)times 2$$
            Note that deciding whether Bob or Sally sits to the right doubles the possibilities.



            Now, all possible arrangements in which $n$ different people sit (it doesn't matter whether together or not) is simply $$n!$$



            All possibilities are hence $$n!times (n+2)times2$$
            Note, however, that you also have to consider the gap; the total amount of possibilities is thus $$n!times (n+2)times 2times(n+1)=2times(n+2)!$$






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
              $endgroup$
              – Christoph
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:00












            • $begingroup$
              @Christoph you're definitely right!
              $endgroup$
              – Dr. Mathva
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:26














            0












            0








            0





            $begingroup$

            You can evaluate the arrangements separately.



            So for instance, the different arrangements in which Bob and Sally sit together are $$(n+2)times 2$$
            Note that deciding whether Bob or Sally sits to the right doubles the possibilities.



            Now, all possible arrangements in which $n$ different people sit (it doesn't matter whether together or not) is simply $$n!$$



            All possibilities are hence $$n!times (n+2)times2$$
            Note, however, that you also have to consider the gap; the total amount of possibilities is thus $$n!times (n+2)times 2times(n+1)=2times(n+2)!$$






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            You can evaluate the arrangements separately.



            So for instance, the different arrangements in which Bob and Sally sit together are $$(n+2)times 2$$
            Note that deciding whether Bob or Sally sits to the right doubles the possibilities.



            Now, all possible arrangements in which $n$ different people sit (it doesn't matter whether together or not) is simply $$n!$$



            All possibilities are hence $$n!times (n+2)times2$$
            Note, however, that you also have to consider the gap; the total amount of possibilities is thus $$n!times (n+2)times 2times(n+1)=2times(n+2)!$$







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Dec 7 '18 at 9:58









            Dr. MathvaDr. Mathva

            957316




            957316












            • $begingroup$
              You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
              $endgroup$
              – Christoph
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:00












            • $begingroup$
              @Christoph you're definitely right!
              $endgroup$
              – Dr. Mathva
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:26


















            • $begingroup$
              You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
              $endgroup$
              – Christoph
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:00












            • $begingroup$
              @Christoph you're definitely right!
              $endgroup$
              – Dr. Mathva
              Dec 7 '18 at 10:26
















            $begingroup$
            You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
            $endgroup$
            – Christoph
            Dec 7 '18 at 10:00






            $begingroup$
            You could also just exchange the gap by an additional person (since there is only one) and obtain $(n+1)!$ instead of $n!$ immediately.
            $endgroup$
            – Christoph
            Dec 7 '18 at 10:00














            $begingroup$
            @Christoph you're definitely right!
            $endgroup$
            – Dr. Mathva
            Dec 7 '18 at 10:26




            $begingroup$
            @Christoph you're definitely right!
            $endgroup$
            – Dr. Mathva
            Dec 7 '18 at 10:26


















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