Question 1
In a group of 8 people, 4 people are VIPs who shake hands with everyone. The remaining 4 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: 4 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 4 (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 = 4 × 4 = 16
Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 28 - 16
= 12
Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
Total = 6 + 6 = 12
Verification: Both methods give the same result.
Concept: Handshake problem with selective participation.
Given:
- Total: 8 people
- VIPs: 4 (shake with everyone)
- Non-VIPs: 4 (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 = 4 × 4 = 16
Step 3 - Subtract restricted handshakes:
Actual handshakes = Total possible - Forbidden handshakes
= 28 - 16
= 12
Alternative direct count:
- VIP to VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
- VIP to Non-VIP: 0 (forbidden)
- Non-VIP to Non-VIP: C(4, 2) = 6
Total = 6 + 6 = 12
Verification: Both methods give the same result.