Twenty guests plus the host (21 people total) are to be seated at a single round table. How many distinct circular seatings are possible (rotations considered identical)?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 20!

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
For n distinct people around one round table, rotations are considered identical, so the number of seatings is (n−1)!.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Total people n = 21 (20 guests + 1 host).
  • One round table; reflections considered distinct unless stated otherwise (standard convention).


Concept / Approach:
Fix one person's seat to break rotational symmetry; arrange the remaining n−1 people linearly.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Seatings = (21−1)! = 20!.



Verification / Alternative check:
If reflections were also identified (rare for seating), dihedral reduction would apply; but typical seating problems use pure circular equivalence.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
19! and 18! correspond to incorrectly subtracting more symmetries; “Couldn’t be determined” is incorrect given the standard model.



Common Pitfalls:
Confusing bracelets (with flips) and round seating (orientation matters, flips distinct).



Final Answer:
20!

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