Mathematics
Problem of the Week
Spring
2004
POW 11
A mad caterer has
kidnapped you
and forces you to arrange fruits in a row on the table.
You have 2 apples, 3 bananas, and a carambola
(also known as a star fruit).
1) How many ways are
there to
arrange these 6 fruits in a row? (Assume
the bananas are identical and the apples are identical.)
2) But wait, the caterer
only
wants 3 fruits on the table. Now how
many possible arrangements are there?
(This can be done by
Brute Force,
of course. However, the more elegant
solution will win the prize. )
Solutions
should be submitted to Dr. Maegan Bos'
mailbox in the Math office or sent via e-mail to mbos@stlawu.edu.
Presentation
counts! The
prize-winning entry will be selected from all correct submissions,
based on the
clarity, creativity and elegance of the solution.
Look for the
SLU POW on the Web at http://it.stlawu.edu/~math/activities/