A team of 8 students goes on an excursion, in two cars, of which one can seat 5

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Question
A team of 8 students goes on an excursion, in two cars, of which one can seat 5 and the other only 4. In how many ways can they travel?
Options
A. 126
B. 120
C. 146
D. 156

Correct Answer

126

Explanation

There are 8 students and the maximum capacity of the cars together is 9.

We may divide the 8 students as follows

Case I: 5 students in the first car and 3 in the second
Case II: 4 students in the first car and 4 in the second

Hence, in Case I: 8 students are divided into groups of 5 and 3 in8C3 ways.

Similarly, in Case II: 8 students are divided into two groups of 4 and 4 in 8C4ways.

Therefore, the total number of ways in which 8 students can travel is:
$8 C_{3} + 8 C_{4}$ =56 + 70= 126