Question:easy

The number of ways in which 8 different pearls can be arranged to form a necklace is

Show Hint

Always distinguish between circular arrangements of people (where left and right are fixed) and circular arrangements of objects like beads or pearls (where flipping the necklace doesn't change the relative order).
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
  • 40320
  • 5040
  • 2520
  • 1260
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Spot the type of arrangement.
Eight different pearls are placed in a ring to make a necklace. This is a circular arrangement, not a straight line.
Step 2: Count circular arrangements first.
For $n$ distinct items in a circle, the count is $(n-1)!$. Here $n=8$, so we start with $(8-1)!=7!$.
Step 3: Work out 7 factorial.
$7!=7\times 6\times 5\times 4\times 3\times 2\times 1=5040$.
Step 4: Remember the flip.
A necklace can be turned over. So an arrangement and its mirror image look the same. That means we have counted each one twice.
Step 5: Divide by 2.
To remove the double counting, divide by $2$: $\frac{5040}{2}=2520$.
Step 6: State the answer.
The number of distinct necklaces is $2520$, which is option (C).
\[ \boxed{\,2520\,} \]
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