JEE Challenger
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Ratio of Queue Permutations with Girls Standing Consecutively

Let nn represent the total number of arrangements in which 55 boys and 55 girls stand in a queue such that all 55 girls are together. Let mm be the number of queue arrangements where precisely four girls stand consecutively together. Find the ratio mn\frac{m}{n}.

Official Numerical Answer5

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the value of the ratio mn\frac{m}{n}, we analyze the two given conditions step by step.

Step 1: Calculate nn

We are given that nn is the total number of arrangements of 55 boys and 55 girls in a queue such that all 55 girls stand consecutively.

  1. Treat the 55 girls as a single combined block GG.
  2. We now have 55 boys and 11 block of girls, giving a total of 66 items to arrange in a queue. These 66 items can be arranged in 6!6! ways.
  3. Within the block, the 55 girls can be arranged among themselves in 5!5! ways.

Therefore, the total number of such arrangements is: n=6!×5!n = 6! \times 5!


Step 2: Calculate mm

We are given that mm 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).

  1. Selection and Internal Arrangement of the Girls:

    • Choose 44 girls out of 55 to form the block G(4)G_{(4)} in (54)=5\binom{5}{4} = 5 ways.
    • The 44 girls inside the block G(4)G_{(4)} can be arranged among themselves in 4!4! ways.
    • The remaining girl G(1)G_{(1)} can be viewed as an individual entity.
  2. Arrangement of Boys and Placement of Girl Entities:

    • First, arrange the 55 boys in a queue in 5!5! ways.
    • The 55 boys create 66 available gaps (including the two ends): ‾ B1 ‾ B2 ‾ B3 ‾ B4 ‾ B5 ‾\text{\underline{\hspace{0.5cm}} } B_1 \text{ \underline{\hspace{0.5cm}} } B_2 \text{ \underline{\hspace{0.5cm}} } B_3 \text{ \underline{\hspace{0.5cm}} } B_4 \text{ \underline{\hspace{0.5cm}} } B_5 \text{ \underline{\hspace{0.5cm}}}
    • To ensure that the block G(4)G_{(4)} and the single girl G(1)G_{(1)} are not adjacent, we must place them into two distinct gaps out of the 66 available gaps.
    • The number of ways to choose 22 distinct gaps and assign G(4)G_{(4)} and G(1)G_{(1)} to them is 6P2=6×5=30^6P_2 = 6 \times 5 = 30 ways.

Therefore, the total number of such arrangements is: m=(54)×4!×5!×6P2m = \binom{5}{4} \times 4! \times 5! \times {}^6P_2 m=5×4!×5!×30=5!×5!×30m = 5 \times 4! \times 5! \times 30 = 5! \times 5! \times 30


Step 3: Compute the Ratio mn\frac{m}{n}

Now, taking the ratio of mm and nn: mn=5!×5!×306!×5!\frac{m}{n} = \frac{5! \times 5! \times 30}{6! \times 5!}

Simplifying the fraction: mn=30×5!6!=306=5\frac{m}{n} = \frac{30 \times 5!}{6!} = \frac{30}{6} = 5

Thus, the value of mn\frac{m}{n} is 55.