GMAT Quant Questions | GMAT Permutation Q1

This sample GMAT Math question is a 600 level combinatorics problem solving question. The concept tested is to find the number of ways the letters of word can be rearranged after factoring in constraints that a certain type of letters should be grouped together. An elementary permutation question on rearragements and reordering objects.

Question 1: In how many ways can the letters of the word ABACUS be rearranged such that the vowels always appear together?

1. \\frac{6!}{2!})
2. 3! × 3!
3. \\frac{4!}{2!})
4. \\frac{4! \times 3!}{2!})
5. \\frac{3! \times 3!}{2!})

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Video Explanation

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Explanatory Answer | GMAT Permutation Combination Q1

Step 1 of solving this GMAT Permutation Question: Group the vowels as one unit and rearrange

ABACUS is a 6 letter word in which 3 of the letters are vowels, viz., A, A, and U.
Because the 3 vowels have to appear together, let us group the AAU as one unit.
There are 3 consonants in addition to one unit of vowels.
These 4 elements can be rearranged in 4! ways.

Step 2 of solving this GMAT Permutation Question: Rearrange the letters within the unit containing the vowels

The 3 vowels can rearrange among themselves in \\frac{3!}{2!}) ways because "a" appears twice.
Hence, the total number of rearrangements of the word ABACUS in which the vowels appear together is \\frac{4! \times 3!}{2!})

Choice D is the correct answer.