In how many different ways can the letters of the word DETAIL be arranged in such a way that the vowels occupy only the odd positions?
32
48
36
60
Explanation:
There are 6 letters in the given word, out of which there are 3 vowels and 3 consonants.
Let us mark these positions as under:
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Now, 3 vowels can be placed at any of the three places out 4, marked 1, 3, 5.
Number of ways of arranging the vowels = 3P3 = 3! = 6.
Also, the 3 consonants can be arranged at the remaining 3 positions.
Number of ways of these arrangements = 3P3 = 3! = 6.
Total number of ways = $\left(6 \times 6\right)$ = 36.