Ratio of Queue Permutations with Girls Standing Consecutively
Let represent the total number of arrangements in which boys and girls stand in a queue such that all girls are together. Let be the number of queue arrangements where precisely four girls stand consecutively together. Find the ratio .
Topics & Concepts
Step-by-Step Solution
To find the value of the ratio , we analyze the two given conditions step by step.
Step 1: Calculate
We are given that is the total number of arrangements of boys and girls in a queue such that all girls stand consecutively.
- Treat the girls as a single combined block .
- We now have boys and block of girls, giving a total of items to arrange in a queue. These items can be arranged in ways.
- Within the block, the girls can be arranged among themselves in ways.
Therefore, the total number of such arrangements is:
Step 2: Calculate
We are given that is the number of arrangements where exactly four girls stand consecutively together. This implies that four girls form one consecutive block, while the fifth girl is separated from this block by at least one boy (so that all five girls do not end up together).
-
Selection and Internal Arrangement of the Girls:
- Choose girls out of to form the block in ways.
- The girls inside the block can be arranged among themselves in ways.
- The remaining girl can be viewed as an individual entity.
-
Arrangement of Boys and Placement of Girl Entities:
- First, arrange the boys in a queue in ways.
- The boys create available gaps (including the two ends):
- To ensure that the block and the single girl are not adjacent, we must place them into two distinct gaps out of the available gaps.
- The number of ways to choose distinct gaps and assign and to them is ways.
Therefore, the total number of such arrangements is:
Step 3: Compute the Ratio
Now, taking the ratio of and :
Simplifying the fraction:
Thus, the value of is .