How many ways can 4 books be arranged on a shelf?
Explanation
Solution
1. Using the Multiplication Principle:
When arranging 4 books, we have 4 positions to fill:
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For the first position, we have 4 choices (any of the 4 books).
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For the second position, we have 3 choices remaining.
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For the third position, we have 2 choices remaining.
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For the fourth position, we have 1 choice remaining.
The total number of arrangements is the product of these choices:
2. Using the Factorial Formula:
The number of ways to arrange n distinct objects in a row is given by n! (n-factorial). Here, n=4.
The formula is:
Substituting n=4: