Maths · Simple applications

There are 4 balls of different colours boxes of colours same as those of the bal

There are 4 balls of different colours \( \& 4 \) boxes of colours same as those of the balls. The number of ways in which the balls, one in each box, could be placed such that exactly no ball go to the box of its own colour is:

  • A. 9
  • B. 30
  • C. 20
  • D. None

Step-by-step solution

The number of ways to place 4 distinct balls into 4 distinct boxes such that no ball goes into the box of its own color is the number of derangements of 4 items. Derangement formula: D4 = 4! * (1 - 1/1! + 1/2! - 1/3! + 1/4!) = 24 * (1 - 1 + 1/2 - 1/6 + 1/24) = 24 * (9/24) = 9.
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