Combinatorics question about the four-letter sequence "GRIT"

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the number of nine-letter words that can be formed from the letters in "FULBRIGHT" while containing the sequence "GRIT." It is established that "GRIT" can be treated as a single unit, simplifying the problem to arranging this unit with the remaining letters. The calculation shows there are six positions for "GRIT" and five letters left, leading to 6 x 5! = 720 possible combinations. Participants confirm this approach, agreeing that treating "GRIT" as a single letter is valid. The solution is verified as correct, providing clarity on the combinatorial aspect of the problem.
RM86Z
Messages
23
Reaction score
6
Homework Statement
Given the letters in "FULBRIGHT" how many contain the four-letter sequence "GRIT".
Relevant Equations
6 x 5!
Question: "A total of 9! = 362880 different nine-letter ‘‘words’’ can be produced by rearranging the letters in FULBRIGHT. Of these, how many contain the four-letter sequence GRIT?"

Solution: There are six ways of getting the word "GRIT" with five letters left over giving 6 x 5! = 720 possibilities.

There is no answer in my book so just wanted to verify whether my solution is correct or not.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, you can consider GRIT as a single letter X. So ##6!##
 
Thank you I didn't think of it that way but that does make sense!
 
Back
Top