Qu124 - Boating Party
“What a lovely morning for a boating party,” said Professor Sinker, as the party of 12 made their way down to the mooring, “the light is Caravaggesque.” The light was indeed spectacular, the dark clouds of a gathering storm contrasting splendidly with morning light, and with steep waves on the lake adding a little drama to the scene. They walked on for a moment, then Professor Downer, who was clearly troubled by the Caravaggio reference, turned to Sinker and said “I think you mean Géricault. It's the spitting image of The Raft of the Medusa.” They continued towards the lake.
“I believe I saw that in the Louvre,” said Colonel Cadaver. “Is it the one where they ate each other?”
“The very same,” said Downer. “clearly the subulty of the work was not lost on you.”
At that moment they arrived at the mooring to find four boats, each of which could take three people. “Only four of us including myself know how to row,” said Sinker, “and I always take this boat.” He pointed to the only boat in a sound state of repair. “No need to worry though,” he continued, “once we bail these other three boats out they will be perfectly servicable. We just need to work out who is going in which boat.”
How many ways are there of arranging a boating party of 12 people into four different boats containing three people each if only four of the party are oarsmen, each boat must contain an oarsman, and if one of the oarsmen must be in a particular boat?
Answer:
