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counting and probability intermediate
Problem
The Coventry School's European debate club has 6 German delegates, 5 French delegates, and 3 Italian delegates. In how many ways can these 14 delegates sit in a row of 14 chairs, if each country's delegates insist on all sitting next to each other?
Solution
We first think of the German delegates forming a single German block, denoted G, the French delegates forming a single French block F, and the Italian delegates forming a single Italian block I. Then there are ways to arrange the three blocks in a row: Within each block, there are ways to arrange the German delegates, ways to arrange the French delegates, and ways to arrange the Italian delegates. Therefore, there are ways to seat all 14 delegates.
Final answer
3,\!110,\!400