Let's do another one to make sure you have the idea.

How many ways can we arrange the letters in this word?

M  I  S  S  I  S  S  I  P  P  I
 

Let's see...

11 total letters... 11!  ...  There are 4 I's... 4!  ...  There are 4 S's... 4!  ...  There are 2 P's... 2!  ...  Divide these arrangements out!

 

11! / 4! 4! 2!  =  ( 11* 10 * 9 * 8 * 7 * 6 * 5 * 4! ) / ( 4! * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 * 2 * 1 )  ...  the 4!'s cancel out  ...  =  ( 11 * 10 * 9 * 8 * 7 * 6 * 5 ) / ( 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 * 2 * 1 )  ...  the 8 and the 4 * 2 cancel each other out  ...  =  ( 11 * 10 * 9 * 7 * 6 * 5 ) / ( 3 * 1 * 2 * 1 )  ...  the 6 and the 3 * 2 cancel each other out  ...  = 11* 10 * 9 * 7 * 5  =  34,650

 


YOUR TURN:

How many ways can you arrange the letters in this word?

P  O  O  P  E  R  S  C  O  O  P  E  R