Question

Will decides to attend a basketball game with four friends. If the party of five sits together in five consecutive seats, and Will must NOT sit in between two of his friends, how many ways can the five friends be arranged?(A) 24(B) 36(C) 48(D) 72(E) 120

Answer 1

Therefore, the correct option is (C) 48.

Explanation:

Consider the provided information.

The party of five sits together in five consecutive seats, and Will must NOT sit in between two of his friends.

That means Will must sit on either ends of the people.

Case I:

If Will sit on extreme left.

W _ _ _ _

Thus, the number of ways are: 1×4×3×2×1=24

Case II:

If Will sit on extreme right.

_ _ _ _ W

Thus, the number of ways are: 4×3×2×1×1=24

Hence, the total number of ways are: 24+24=48.

Therefore, the correct option is (C) 48