Question

How many distinguishable permutations of the latters in the word misissippi

Answer 1

Answer:

Number of distinct permutations = 11!/(4!)(4!)(2!) = 34650. Although the complete number of permutations = 11!, both “i” and “s” appear 4 times, which means that each contributes a 4! multiplier which accounts for permutations of each within “Mississippi”, only 1 of which is distinct in each case, and “p” appears twice and contributes a 2! multiplier to account for permutations, only 1 of which is distinct. Thus, division by (4!)(4!)(2!) is needed to arrive at the number of distinct permutations.