Math Problem Statement

Suppose 6 people A,B,C,D,E,F are seated around a round table (where rotating the entire seating arrangement counts as a di ! erent arrangement)

Solution

When arranging people in a circle, we use the formula for circular permutations, which adjusts for the fact that rotations of the arrangement are considered identical. The number of unique arrangements of nn people around a circular table is given by:

(n1)!(n - 1)!

For n=6n = 6 people, the calculation is:

(61)!=5!=120(6 - 1)! = 5! = 120

Thus, there are 120 unique seating arrangements for 6 people around a round table.


Would you like a breakdown of this explanation, an example arrangement, or further exploration of this topic? Here are related questions you might find interesting:

  1. What happens if the table is not round? How do arrangements change?
  2. How many arrangements are possible if two specific people must sit next to each other?
  3. If there are identical twins among the six, how does that affect the count?
  4. What is the number of arrangements if specific seats (e.g., for A and B) are fixed?
  5. Can you generalize the formula for nn people seated in a circle?

Tip: To better understand circular permutations, imagine numbering the seats and assigning people to those positions—it helps clarify rotation-based equivalences.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Combinatorics
Permutations
Circular Permutations

Formulas

(n - 1)! for circular permutations

Theorems

Circular Permutation Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12