Problem:
How many ways can a student schedule mathematics coursesalgebra, geometry, and number theory - in a -period day if no two mathematics courses can be taken in consecutive periods? (What courses the student takes during the other periods is of no concern here.)
Answer Choices:
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Solution:
There are choices for the periods in which the mathematics courses can be taken: periods ; periods ; periods ; and periods . Each choice of periods allows ways to order the mathematics courses. Therefore there are ways of arranging a schedule.
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions