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jmc

counting and probability intermediate

Problem

Suppose we want to divide the 10 dogs into three groups, one with 3 dogs, one with 5 dogs, and one with 2 dogs. How many ways can we form the groups such that Fluffy is in the 3-dog group and Nipper is in the 5-dog group?
Solution
Place Fluffy in the 3-dog group and Nipper in the 5-dog group. This leaves 8 dogs remaining to put in the last two spots of Fluffy's group, which can be done in ways. Then there are 6 dogs remaining for the last 4 spots in Nipper's group, which can be done in ways. The remaining 2-dog group takes the last 2 dogs. So the total number of possibilities is .
Final answer
420