# Combinatorics question

1. Oct 13, 2016

### Mr Davis 97

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In how many ways can four identical red chips and two identical white chips be arranged in a circle?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
First, I calculated the number of different arrangements when the the chips are just in a line. This is $\displaystyle {6 \choose 2} = 15$. Next, I thought that since the chips are arranged in a circle, we have to divide by 6 to take into account the rotations that would essentially be considered the same. However, 15 is obviously not divisible by 6, so I am doing something wrong. What am I doing wrong?

2. Oct 13, 2016

### haruspex

Not all circles of 6 will produce 6 different linear sequences by starting at the 6 different points.
In general, you would also need to consider whether two circles that are mirror images should be counted as one or two, but in this very simple set up I don't think that arises.

3. Oct 13, 2016

### Mr Davis 97

I looked at the problem a bit more and realized that there are only 3 arrangements, so this solves the problem. However, I still want to see how this is done with numbers. I'm not sure what you mean by the first part of your post. Do I need to rethink my initial approach, or do I need to somehow divide by 3 to get the correct answer?

4. Oct 13, 2016

### haruspex

There is no simple ratio that can be justified between the linear and circular counts.
If we start with the circle (RRWWWW) and generate linear sequences by taking the 6 possible starting points in it, we get 6 different sequences. Similarly with (RWRWWW).
If we start with the circle (RWWRWW), we only get three different linear sequences.
6+6+3=15.

5. Oct 14, 2016