Permutations – How to Solve a Confusing Permutation Problem Related to Book Arrangement

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Ms. Jones has 10 books that she is going to put on her bookshelf. Of these, 4 are
mathematics books, 3 are chemistry books, 2 are history books, and 1 is a language
book. Ms. Jones wants to arrange her books so that all the books dealing with the
same subject are together on the shelf. How many different arrangements are
possible?

I am completely lost. I know there are 4! 3! 2! 1! arrangements such that the mathematics books are
first in line, then the chemistry books, then the history books, and then the language
book.

But this is not the answer.

Best Answer

HINT:

$$\underbrace{\underbrace{M_1M_2M_3M_4}_{4!}\mid\underbrace{C_1C_2C_3}_{3!}\mid\underbrace{H_1H_2}_{2!}\mid\underbrace{L_1}_{1!}}_{4!}$$