One or more options correct
All arrangements of the seven letters of the word BALLOON (using all letters) are considered. Which of the following is/are correct?
- A. The number of arrangements in which the two O's are adjacent is
- B. The number of arrangements in which no two L's are adjacent is
- C. The number of arrangements in which no two identical letters are adjacent is
- D. The number of arrangements in which A precedes both O's is
Show answer and solution
Answer: A, B, D
The total number of arrangements is . (A) Gluing the two O's into one block leaves 6 objects with the two L's identical: ; true. (B) Arrangements with the L's together also number , so those with L's apart are ; true. (C) By inclusion-exclusion, subtract the arrangements with the O's together () and with the L's together (), then add back those with both pairs glued, : ; false. (D) Among the relative orders of A, O, O, the letter A is first in exactly one of three equally likely positions, so the count is ; true. A brute-force enumeration of the distinct permutations confirms all four counts.
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