The formula for permutations with repetition gives 11! / (4!4!2!) = 34,650 arrangements. But my life says the *useful* arrangements are far fewer. Coding a word game for my sister, the valid dictionary words from 'MISSISSIPPI' are maybe a dozen—'simp', 'miss', 'pips'. Seeing her smile at a scored word, *haa bes*, that's the real count. The textbook answer feels like office maths, neat but disconnected from the messy, living purpose of letters.
#exams#study
Jump in to reply — no account needed.