Question: In how many ways the letters of word 'PERSON' can be arranged in the following way such that No row is empty and no letter is repeated
I was trying to solve this question, but my answer is getting wrong somewhere.
I know the actual solution, but it was a try to solve it in a different way below:
first select 3 words and arrange them in all rows so that we ensure no row is empty,
$\implies$ Total ways to do so is C($6$,$3$) $\cdot2\cdot2\cdot4\cdot3!$
Now select other words and arrange them without any restriction
$\implies$ Total ways = $5\cdot3\cdot4$
Therefore, Total no. of ways = $115,200$
Where I am going wrong?
Best Answer
Count the ways without restriction, subtract the ways that violate the restriction.
You can only violate it by leaving either row 1 or 2 empty.
Without restriction you have $P(8,6)$ arrangements. There are $2 \cdot 6!$ arrangements that violate the restriction.