Combinatorics

4 letters, 2 a's and 2 b's, are to be used for filling 16 cells of a 4* 4 matrix. It is required that each cell contains at most 1 letter, and no row or column can contain two same letters. The number of ways in which such a matrix can be filled with is ?

6 Answers

7
Sigma ·

Is the answer of your q 3096??

1
rahulsidhu ·

Here is my solution:
I have assumed that all the cells are numbered i.e distinct and that the 4 letters are placed in the matrix according to the given conditions.

Choose one of the two: a or b in :2
Choose one of the 16 cells to place the first letter : 16
Place the other letter of the same kind in a cell not sharing a row or column with the first: 9

Now place the remaining two letters. Three cases are possible
1) the third letter shares a cell AND column with the two letters already placed: 2 cells
The fourth letter can then be placed in one of 9 cells.
2) shares a cell OR column, but not both: 8 cells, fourth placed in one of 8 cells
3) does not share cell or column : 4 cells, fourth goes to one of 7 cells

Total number of ways= 2*16*9*[2*9+8*8+4*7] = 31680

71
Vivek @ Born this Way ·

It isn't correct.

I tried to think is the same way, however don't know what they do.

1
rahulsidhu ·

Interesting. What is their answer?

7
Sigma ·

@Vivek, Whats the answer? Do u know?

1
rishabh ·

well, even i'm getting the same answer as rahul.

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