Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

What is the first step in calculating the arrangements of children sitting together?

1. Determine total arrangements

2. Identify pairs to be seated together

3. Calculate possibilities for adjacent seating

4. Separate arrangements from total

The correct answer is: Identify pairs to be seated together

The first step in calculating the arrangements of children sitting together involves identifying pairs that need to be seated together. This is essential because when children are to be arranged with the requirement of certain individuals sitting together, treating those individuals as a single entity or block simplifies the overall problem. By recognizing which children must be grouped, you can then determine how many groups there are and how to arrange them within the broader total arrangements. For instance, if you have pairs of children who must sit together, you can combine their arrangements into one unit, which allows for a clear calculation of how many units are being arranged overall. This process lays the groundwork for subsequent calculations, such as determining total arrangements or separating the pairs from the rest of the group, making it a foundational step in solving the problem. Thus, identifying these pairs is critical before moving on to calculating possibilities or addressing total arrangements.