ReasoningAbility.com

Handshake Problems with Constraints Beginner-Intermediate Worksheet: Focus on common variations practice Handshake Problems with Constraints BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE

Level up your Handshake Problems with Constraints skills! You're at Worksheet 4 of 10 (33% through this series). This step-up challenge worksheet features 20 beginner-intermediate-level problems with a focus on common variations practice. Topics covered: handshake problems with constraints for competitive exams, how to solve handshake problems with constraints, handshake problems with constraints tricks.

📝 Worksheet 4 of 10 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Beginner Intermediate level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Handshake Problems with Constraints
Worksheet 4 of 10 (33% complete)

Question 1

At a party of 14 people, 2 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 14
- Non-participants: 2
- Participants: 12

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 12 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(12, 2) = 12×11/2

Calculation:
= 12×11/2 = 66
= 66

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 2

In a group of 10 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 7 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 10 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 7 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(10, 2) = 10×9/2 = 45

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 7 × 3 = 21

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 45 - 21
= 24

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(7, 2) = 21
Total = 3 + 21 = 24

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 3

In a group of 10 people, 4 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 6 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 10 people
- VIPs: 4 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 6 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(10, 2) = 10×9/2 = 45

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 6 × 4 = 24

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 45 - 24
= 21

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(6, 2) = 15
Total = 6 + 15 = 21

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 4

There are 12 people at a party. If each person shakes hands with every other person exactly once, how many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem - each handshake involves 2 people, and order doesn't matter.

Given: 12 people

Method 1 - Combination:
Number of handshakes = Number of ways to choose 2 people from 12
= C(12, 2) = 12! / (2! × 10!) = 12×11/2

Method 2 - Counting per person:
Each person shakes hands with 11 others
Total count: 12 × 11 = 132
But each handshake counted twice, so divide by 2: 132/2

Calculation:
= 12×11/2 = 66
= 66

Key Formula: Number of handshakes = C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2

Question 5

There are 10 people at a party. If each person shakes hands with every other person exactly once, how many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem - each handshake involves 2 people, and order doesn't matter.

Given: 10 people

Method 1 - Combination:
Number of handshakes = Number of ways to choose 2 people from 10
= C(10, 2) = 10! / (2! × 8!) = 10×9/2

Method 2 - Counting per person:
Each person shakes hands with 9 others
Total count: 10 × 9 = 90
But each handshake counted twice, so divide by 2: 90/2

Calculation:
= 10×9/2 = 45
= 45

Key Formula: Number of handshakes = C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2

Question 6

In a group of 10 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 7 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 10 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 7 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(10, 2) = 10×9/2 = 45

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 7 × 3 = 21

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 45 - 21
= 24

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(7, 2) = 21
Total = 3 + 21 = 24

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 7

At a party of 12 people, 3 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 12
- Non-participants: 3
- Participants: 9

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 9 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(9, 2) = 9×8/2

Calculation:
= 9×8/2 = 36
= 36

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 8

At a party of 12 people, 2 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 12
- Non-participants: 2
- Participants: 10

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 10 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(10, 2) = 10×9/2

Calculation:
= 10×9/2 = 45
= 45

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 9

There are 11 people at a party. If each person shakes hands with every other person exactly once, how many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem - each handshake involves 2 people, and order doesn't matter.

Given: 11 people

Method 1 - Combination:
Number of handshakes = Number of ways to choose 2 people from 11
= C(11, 2) = 11! / (2! × 9!) = 11×10/2

Method 2 - Counting per person:
Each person shakes hands with 10 others
Total count: 11 × 10 = 110
But each handshake counted twice, so divide by 2: 110/2

Calculation:
= 11×10/2 = 55
= 55

Key Formula: Number of handshakes = C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2

Question 10

There are 11 people at a party. If each person shakes hands with every other person exactly once, how many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem - each handshake involves 2 people, and order doesn't matter.

Given: 11 people

Method 1 - Combination:
Number of handshakes = Number of ways to choose 2 people from 11
= C(11, 2) = 11! / (2! × 9!) = 11×10/2

Method 2 - Counting per person:
Each person shakes hands with 10 others
Total count: 11 × 10 = 110
But each handshake counted twice, so divide by 2: 110/2

Calculation:
= 11×10/2 = 55
= 55

Key Formula: Number of handshakes = C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2

Question 11

At a party of 13 people, 4 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 13
- Non-participants: 4
- Participants: 9

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 9 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(9, 2) = 9×8/2

Calculation:
= 9×8/2 = 36
= 36

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 12

In a group of 9 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 6 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 9 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 6 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(9, 2) = 9×8/2 = 36

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 6 × 3 = 18

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 36 - 18
= 18

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(6, 2) = 15
Total = 3 + 15 = 18

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 13

In a group of 10 people, 4 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 6 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 10 people
- VIPs: 4 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 6 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(10, 2) = 10×9/2 = 45

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 6 × 4 = 24

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 45 - 24
= 21

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(6, 2) = 15
Total = 6 + 15 = 21

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 14

At a party of 15 people, 2 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 15
- Non-participants: 2
- Participants: 13

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 13 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(13, 2) = 13×12/2

Calculation:
= 13×12/2 = 78
= 78

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 15

In a group of 8 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 5 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 8 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 5 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(8, 2) = 8×7/2 = 28

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 5 × 3 = 15

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 28 - 15
= 13

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(5, 2) = 10
Total = 3 + 10 = 13

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 16

At a party of 15 people, 3 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 15
- Non-participants: 3
- Participants: 12

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 12 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(12, 2) = 12×11/2

Calculation:
= 12×11/2 = 66
= 66

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 17

There are 12 people at a party. If each person shakes hands with every other person exactly once, how many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem - each handshake involves 2 people, and order doesn't matter.

Given: 12 people

Method 1 - Combination:
Number of handshakes = Number of ways to choose 2 people from 12
= C(12, 2) = 12! / (2! × 10!) = 12×11/2

Method 2 - Counting per person:
Each person shakes hands with 11 others
Total count: 12 × 11 = 132
But each handshake counted twice, so divide by 2: 132/2

Calculation:
= 12×11/2 = 66
= 66

Key Formula: Number of handshakes = C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2

Question 18

In a group of 9 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 6 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 9 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 6 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(9, 2) = 9×8/2 = 36

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 6 × 3 = 18

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 36 - 18
= 18

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(6, 2) = 15
Total = 3 + 15 = 18

Verification: Both methods give the same result.

Question 19

At a party of 13 people, 2 people refuse to shake hands. Only the remaining people shake hands with each other exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with subset participation.

Given:
- Total people: 13
- Non-participants: 2
- Participants: 11

Step 1 - Identify participants:
Only 11 people actually shake hands.

Step 2 - Calculate handshakes among participants:
Handshakes = C(11, 2) = 11×10/2

Calculation:
= 11×10/2 = 55
= 55

Key Point: Non-participants don't contribute to any handshake.

Question 20

In a group of 9 people, 3 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 6 people only shake hands with other non-VIPs (not with VIPs). How many handshakes occur?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.

Given:
- Total: 9 people
- VIPs: 3 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 6 (only shake with other non-VIPs)

Step 1 - Total possible handshakes without restrictions:
Total possible = C(9, 2) = 9×8/2 = 36

Step 2 - Handshakes that DON'T occur:
Non-VIPs shaking with VIPs (these don't happen because non-VIPs only shake with non-VIPs)
Non-VIP to VIP handshakes = 6 × 3 = 18

Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 36 - 18
= 18

Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(3, 2) = 3
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(6, 2) = 15
Total = 3 + 15 = 18

Verification: Both methods give the same result.
Previous Worksheet Next Worksheet