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JEE Advanced 2020 Paper 1 · Mathematics · Permutations and Combinations · hard

All arrangements of the seven letters of the word BALLOON (using all letters) are considered.

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?
  1. A. The number of arrangements in which the two O's are adjacent is 360360
  2. B. The number of arrangements in which no two L's are adjacent is 900900
  3. C. The number of arrangements in which no two identical letters are adjacent is 600600
  4. D. The number of arrangements in which A precedes both O's is 420420
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Answer: A, B, D

The total number of arrangements is 7!2! 2!=1260\dfrac{7!}{2!\,2!}=1260. (A) Gluing the two O's into one block leaves 6 objects with the two L's identical: 6!2!=360\dfrac{6!}{2!}=360; true. (B) Arrangements with the L's together also number 360360, so those with L's apart are 1260−360=9001260-360=900; true. (C) By inclusion-exclusion, subtract the arrangements with the O's together (360360) and with the L's together (360360), then add back those with both pairs glued, 5!=1205!=120: 1260−720+120=660≠6001260-720+120=660\ne600; 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 1260/3=4201260/3=420; true. A brute-force enumeration of the distinct permutations confirms all four counts.
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