In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'OFFICE' be arranged so that the vowels never come together?
In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'OFFICE' be arranged so that the vowels never come together?
Solution
The word OFFICE contains 6 letters: O, F, F, I, C, E
Vowels: O, I, E (3 vowels, all different)
Consonants: F, F, C (3 consonants, F repeats twice)
To find arrangements where vowels never come together:
Vowels never together = Total arrangements - Vowels always together
The word has 6 letters with F repeating twice.
Total arrangements
Treat all vowels (O, I, E) as one single block [OIE].
The units to arrange are: [OIE], F, F, C (4 units with F repeating twice)
Arrangements of these 4 units
Arrangements of vowels within the block
Total arrangements with vowels together
Arrangements where vowels never come together
Therefore, the answer is 288.
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