One way to solve this is to ask "How many ways can 2 people be chosen from 6 people?"
combinations = 6! / [2! * (6-2)!] = 6 * 5 * 4! / 2 * 4!
= 6 * 5 / 2 = 15 handshakes
Source: 1728.com/puzzle3 (see puzzle 55)
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