Q164 / 269 · NDA 2025 (Phase 1) · Mathematics
How many 7-letter words (with or without meaning) can be constructed using all the letters of the word CAPITAL so that all consonants come together in each word?
- A$360$
- B$300$
- Correct answerC$288$
- D$240$
Solution
The word CAPITAL has 7 letters.
Vowels: A, I, A (3 letters, where A is repeated twice)
Consonants: C, P, T, L (4 distinct letters)
Since all consonants must come together, they are treated as a single unit: (C, P, T, L).
Now, there are 4 units to arrange: the consonant group and the 3 vowels (A, I, A).
The number of ways to arrange these 4 units is $\dfrac{4!}{2!}$ because the letter A appears twice.
$\dfrac{4!}{2!} = 12$
The 4 consonants can be arranged among themselves in $4!$ ways.
$4! = 24$
Total number of words = $12 \times 24 = 288$
Answer: $288$
Vowels: A, I, A (3 letters, where A is repeated twice)
Consonants: C, P, T, L (4 distinct letters)
Since all consonants must come together, they are treated as a single unit: (C, P, T, L).
Now, there are 4 units to arrange: the consonant group and the 3 vowels (A, I, A).
The number of ways to arrange these 4 units is $\dfrac{4!}{2!}$ because the letter A appears twice.
$\dfrac{4!}{2!} = 12$
The 4 consonants can be arranged among themselves in $4!$ ways.
$4! = 24$
Total number of words = $12 \times 24 = 288$
Answer: $288$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.