Circular Permutation

Permutation arrangements are of many types, they range from linear to

circular. Circular arrangements are the type of permutations where the people
or things are organized in a circle. In other terms, this arrangement is said to
be circular .

Rules of Circular Permutations

• The numerous methods to organize different items along a stable (i.e., not
able to chosen up out of the even and spun over) circle is Pn = (n-1)!.
• The number is (n-1)! as a substitute for the normal factorial n! as all cyclic
arrangements of items are equal since the circle can be swapped.
• The total number of permutations decreases to 1/2(𝑛−1) when there is no
reliance identified.
• The same will be the situation when the location of the individual or thing
does not rely on the arrangement of the permutation.
Tips and Tricks for Circular Permutation
• Circular Permutation are arrangements in the closed loops.
• If clockwise and anti-clock-wise orders are different, then total
number of circular-permutations is given by (n-1)!
• If clock-wise and anti-clock-wise orders are taken as not different,
then total number of circular-permutations is given by ( 𝑛−1)!/2!
Points To Remember:
Choose a starting point: Even though the starting point doesn’t matter
in circular arrangements, it can be helpful to pick a reference point to
make the problem easier to solve.
Think linearly: Sometimes, it’s easier to pretend the objects are in a
straight line instead of a circle. Treat the ends as neighbors, and then
use regular counting methods for linear arrangements.
Treat groups together: If some objects must stay together or stay apart,
treat them as one unit. This simplifies the problem and lets you
consider arrangements of these groups and other individual objects
separately.
Use (n-1)! for circles: For arranging n different objects in a circle, the
number of ways is (n-1)!. This accounts for the circular arrangement and
avoids over counting.
Watch for repeated patterns: Rotations and reflections can create the same
arrangements. Be careful and divide the total arrangements accordingly to
avoid counting duplicates.
Handle rules step-by-step: If there are specific rules or constraints, apply
them thoughtfully. Break down the problem into smaller parts to deal with
different scenarios if needed.
• Visualize the problem: Draw pictures or imagine the circular
arrangement to better understand the situation. Visualization
can help you identify patterns and decide on the best approach.
• Practice with different situations: Circular permutation
questions can vary, so practice with various scenarios to get
better at solving them.
Type 1: When clockwise and anticlockwise arrangements are different.
Trick: Number of circular permutations (arrangements) of n distinct things
when arrangements are different = (n−1)!
In how many ways can 5 girls be seated in a circular order?
A) 45
B) 24
C) 12
D) 120
 QUESTION 1

Determine the number of ways in which 5 married couples are seated on a Circular Round
table if the spouses sit opposite to one another.

A) 120

B) 320

C) 384

D) 387
 QUESTION 2
• Type 2: When clockwise and anticlockwise arrangements are not
different
• Tips & Trick: Number of circular permutations (arrangements) of n
distinct things when arrangements are not different = 1/2​× (n−1)!
• In how many ways can 8 beads can be arranged to form a necklace?
• 2520
• 5040
• 360
• 1200
Formula
• Number of circular-permutations of ‘n’ different things taken ‘r’ at a
time:-
• Case 1:
• If clock-wise and anti-clockwise orders are taken as different, then
total number of circular-permutations = 𝑛𝑃𝑟/𝑟​
• Case 2:
• If clock-wise and anti-clockwise orders are taken as not different, then
total number of circular – permutation = 𝑛𝑃𝑟/2𝑟​
Formulas & Definition for Circular Permutations:
• The arrangements we have considered so far are linear. There are also
arrangements in closed loops, called circular arrangements.
There are two cases of circular-permutations:
• If clockwise and anti-clock-wise orders are different, then total
number of circular-permutations is given by (n-1)!
• If clock-wise and anti-clock-wise orders are taken as not different,
then total number of circular-permutations is given by – (𝑛−1)!/2!​
• The number of ways to arrange distinct objects along a fixed (i.e.,
cannot be picked up out of the plane and turned over) circle is (n-1)!
 QUESTION 3

• A necklace is made using 6 different colored beads. How many

distinct necklaces can be formed by rearranging the beads?
 QUESTION 4

• In how many ways can 4 men and 4 women sit at a round table so
that no two men are adjacent? (Two sitting arrangements are
considered different only when the positions of the people are
different relative to each other.)

(A) 24
(B) 48
(C) 72
(D) 144
(E) 288
5.A team of 8 basketball players is standing in a circle for a team photo.
In how many ways can the players arrange themselves if the captain
and vice-captain must stand next to each other?
 QUESTION 5

• In how many ways can 5 books and 4 pens be placed on a circular

shelf such that no two pens are adjacent to each other?
7.Five friends – Alice, Bob, Carol, David, and Eve – are going to sit
around a circular table. Alice and Bob want to sit together, but David
and Eve cannot sit together. In how many ways can they be seated?
 QUESTION 8

Type 1: Find the greatest or smallest number.

• Anuradha invited her 5 friends for dinner. In how many ways she can
make them sit around a circular table?
• 120
• 12
• 24
• 72
9. A gardener wants to plant some Neem trees around a circular
pavement. He has 7 different size of Neem trees. In how many
different ways can the Neem tree be planted?
• 2520
• 2400
• 5040
• 720
 QUESTION 10

• In how many ways can 4 men and 4 women be seated at a circular

table so that no 2 women sits together?
• 414
• 120
• 240
• 144
• Type 2: When clockwise and anticlockwise

11. How many different garlands can be made using 10 flowers of

different colors?
• 181440
• 362880
• 145690
• 5040
 QUESTION 12

• How many necklace of 10 beads each can be made from 20 beads of

different colors?

• 10!/19^2​

• 19!^2/10!​

• 19!/19^2
• 10!/10^2
13.In how many ways can 7 different colors beads be threaded in a
string?

• 3600
• 450
• 360
• 540
 QUESTION 14

• Find out the number of ways in which 5 members of a family can sit
on a round table so that the grandparents always sit together.

A) 12
B) 50
C) 100
D) 200
 QUESTION 15

Determine the ways in which 4 married couples are seated on a round

table if the spouses sit opposite to one another.

A) 48

B) 36

C) 45

D) 60
 QUESTION 16

• Calculate the number of ways in which 10 beads of a necklace can be

arranged?
a) 181440
b) 118400
c) 181404
d) 18400
 QUESTION 17

• Five people are sitting on a round table for meeting. These are P, Q, R,
S, and T. In how many ways these people can be seated?
a) 17
b) 24
c) 4
d) 5
 QUESTION 18

• If Anita wants to arrange 3 Orange bangles, 5 Red bangles, and 2

Green bangles in a loop without any restrictions. Determine the
number of ways it can be done.
A) 236541
B) 362880
C) 230145
D) None of these
 QUESTION 19

• A teacher needs to arrange the students of her classroom in two circles,

one inside another. The inner-circle will have six members, and the
outer circle will have 12 members. In how many ways these children can
be arranged?
a) 44545112
b) 19958460
c) 23569841
d) 45789412
 QUESTION 20

• Determine the number of ways in which six people A, B, C, D, E, and F

can be seated on a round table such that A and B always sit together.
a) 48
b) 120
c) 300
d) 320
 QUESTION 21

• Harry invited 20 people at a party. Determine the ways in which these

people can be seated on a round table such that two specific people
sit on either side of him.
a) 20!
b) 16!
c) 18!
d)18! x 2
 QUESTION 22

• Determine the ways in which 5 girls and 10 boys can be seated on a

table so that girls always sit together.
a) 11! x 5!
b) 10! x 5!
c) 10!
d) 5!
 QUESTION 23

• Determine the ways in which 4 married couples are seated on a round

table if the men and women must sit alternatively.
a) 152
b) 144
c) 200
d) 235
THANK YOU