5.permutations and Combinations
5.permutations and Combinations
5.permutations and Combinations
5. The number of six digit numbers, all digits which are odd is
(A) 5! (B) 6! (C) 65 (D) 56
Ans (D)
The total number of digits = 10
(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Number of odd digits = 5 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
The number of 6 digit numbers = 5 5 5 5 5 5 = 56
6. The number of ways in which 5 girls and 3 boys can be seated in a row so that no two boys sits together
is
(A) 14040 (B) 14440 (C) 14000 (D) 14400
Ans (D)
G G G G G
There are 6 places to 3 boys so that they can be arranged in 6P3 = 6 5 4 = 120 ways
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
10. Out of 18 points in a plane no three are in the same line except five points which are collinear, the
number of lines that can be formed by joining the points is
(A) 143 (B) 144 (C) 154 (D) 153
Ans (B)
Required number = 18 C2 5 C 2 1 144
11. The number of ways in which a team of eleven players can be selected from 22 players always including
2 of them and excluding 4 of them is
(A) 18C11 (B) 18C9 (C) 16C9 (D) 20C9
Ans (C)
Total number of players = 22
We have to select a team of 11 players in which 2 are always including and 4 are never including
Total number of players = 22 2 4 = 16
Required number of selections = 16C9
12. 15
C8 15 C9 15 C6 15 C7
(A) 16 (B) 15 (C) 1 (D) 0
Ans (D)
GE (15 C8 15 C9 ) (15 C 6 15 C 7 ) 16 C9 16 C7 16 C 7 16 C 7 0 [16 C9 16 C16 9 ]
13. If n
Pr 840 and n Cr 35 , then r =
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 1
2
1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
Ans (B)
n
Pr 840
We know that r! n
24
Cr 35
r! = 4!
r=4
14. The total number of ways in which six ‘+’ and four ‘’ signs can be arranged in a line such that no two
signs ‘’ occur together is
(A) 3600 (B) 35 (C) 25200 (D) 17280
Ans (B)
The arrangements of the signs is shown in the following diagram
+ + + + + +
The ‘+’ sign can be arranged in 1 way because all are identical, and 4 ‘’ signs can be arranged at
7 places in 7C4 ways
7.6.5.4
Total number of ways = 7C4 1 = 35 ways
4.3.2.1
20
15. C4 + 2 20C3 + 20C2 − 22C18 is
(A) 2430 (B) 7330 (C) 1240 (D) 0
Ans (D)
20
C4 + 2 20C3 + 20C2 − 22C18
= 20C4 + 20C3 + 20C3 + 20C2 − 22C18 [nCr + nCr 1 = n + 1Cr]
= 21C4 + 21C3 − 22C18 = 22C4 − 22C18
= 22C18 − 22C18 = 0 [nCr = nCn−r]
Assignment MCQs
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
3. The number of all possible words that can be formed using the letters of the word ‘MATHEMATICS’ is
11!
(A) (B) 11 ! (C) 11C1 (D) 2 !
2! 2! 2!
Ans (A)
Total number of letters = 11
Number of M’s = 2, No. of A’s = 2, No. of T’s = 2
11!
Required number of ways =
2! 2! 2!
4. A family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters is to be arranged in a row for a photograph. In how many ways can
they be seated if all sisters sit together?
(A) 4 ! 3 ! (B) 5 ! (C) 5 (3 !) (D) 5 ! 3 !
Ans (D)
Consider 3 sisters as one
Required no of ways = 5 ! 3 !
5. In how many ways a committee of 5 people be formed from among 6 men and 4 ladies if the committee
has to contain exactly 3 ladies?
(A) 65 (B) 35 (C) 60 (D) 20
Ans (C)
Exactly 3 ladies
4
C3 6C2 = 60 ways
6. A polygon has 90 diagonals. The number of sides are
(A) 15 (B) 12 (C) 30 (D) 23
Ans (A)
Let the number of sides = n
n(n 3)
Number of diagonals
2
n(n 3) 2
90 n − 3n = 180
2
(n − 15) (n + 12) = 0 n = 15 (n − 12)
7. A student has to answer 10 out of 14 questions in an examination such that he must choose at least four
from the first six questions. The number of choices available to him is
(A) 826 (B) 726 (C) 836 (D) 1246
Ans (A)
The available choices
= 6C4 × 8C6 + 6C5 × 8C5 + 6C6 × 8C4
= 6C2 × 8C2 + 6C1 × 8C3 + 1 × 8C4 [nCr = nCn−r]
6 5 8 7 6 8 7 6 8 7 6 5
2 1 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
= 30 × 14 + 56 × 6 + 35 × 2
= 420 + 336 + 70 = 826
8. P, Q, R, S are to give lectures to the audience. The organiser can arrange the orders of their presentation
in
(A) 4 ways (B) 12 ways (C) 256 ways (D) 24 ways
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
Ans (D)
Required number of ways = 4! = 24
9. The number of ways in which 5 boys and 5 girls can sit in a row so that all the girls sit together is
(A) 86400 (B) 14400 (C) 7200 (D) 12600
Ans (A)
Required number of ways = 5 ! 6 ! = 120 720 = 86400
10. The number of ways in which 4 girls and 5 boys can sit in a row so that all the boys sit together is
(A) 14500 (B) 14395 (C) 14400 (D) 28400
Ans (C)
Required Number of ways = 5 ! (4 + 1) ! = 5 ! 5 !
= 120 × 120 = 14400
11. In a football championship there were 153 matches. Every team played one match with each other. The
number of teams participating in the championship is
(A) 17 (B) 18 (C) 9 (D) 8
Ans (B)
Let n be the number of teams
total number of teams playing with each other
= nC2 = 153 (given)
n(n 1)
153
2
n ( n − 1) = 306 = (18) (17) n = 18
12. The number of hand shakes that can be exchanged among a party of 12 students if every student shakes
hands once with every other student is
(A) P (12, 2) (B) P (12, 10) (C) C (12, 2) (D) C (2, 12)
Ans (C)
Number of handshakes = 12C2 = C(12, 2) [ handshakes will be between 2 students]
13. The number of 2 digit even numbers formed from the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, if repetition of digits is
not allowed, is
(A) 6 (B) 5 (C) 9 (D) 15
Ans (D)
Number of ways = 5 3 = 15
[ if we place 2 or 4 or 6 at the unit place, we get an even number and ten’s place in each case can be
filled in 5 ways]
The required number of lines = 10C2 7C2 + 1 = 45 21 + 1 = 25
14. In a cricket championship there are 36 matches. The number of teams if each plays one match with other
are
(A) 8 (B) 9 (C) 10 (D) 36
Ans (B)
Let n be the number of teams
nC2 = 36
n (n 1)
36 n (n 1) 72 9.8 n = 9
1 .2
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
5!
Number of arrangements with two N’s together 20
3!
Required number = 60 – 20 = 40
20. If nC12 = nC8 then n is equal to
(A) 12 (B) 20 (C) 26 (D) 6
Ans (B)
Using nCr = nCnr we get
12 = n 8 n = 20
n
P4 5
21. The value of n such that n 1
, n 4 is
P4 3
(A) 11 (B) 10 (C) 13 (D) 12
Ans (B)
n
P4 5
n 1
P4 3
3n(n 1) (n – 2) (n – 3) = 5(n – 1) (n – 2) (n – 3) (n – 4)
3n = 5(n – 4) [ (n 1) (n – 2) (n – 3) 0, n > 4]
n = 10
22. How many even numbers can be formed by using all the digits 2, 3, 4, 5, 6?
(A) 48 (B) 24 (C) 120 (D) 72
Ans (D)
We have to fill five places with digits, the units place being given to an even digit.
Units place can be filled with three digits (2, 4 or 6) in 3 ways and corresponding to each way of doing
so the remaining 4 digits can be filled in 4 P4 4 24 ways.
Required number of ways = 3 24 = 72.
23. A lady gives a dinner party for six guests. The number of ways in which they may be selected from
among ten friends if two of the friends will not attend the party together is
(A) 112 (B) 140 (C) 164 (D) 142
Ans (B)
Required number of ways = 10C6 − 8C4 = 210 − 70 = 140
[ Number of ways in which two of the friends will attend the party together = 8C4]
24. The number of ways in which 52 cards can be distributed among four players, each receiving 13 cards, is
2
52 52 52 5
(A) (B) (C) (D)
( 13) 4 4 ( 13)4 ( 13) 4 4 13
Ans (B)
In this case we have to divide 52 distinct objects into four equal groups of 13 each, groups being
distinguishable as each group belongs to particular player.
52!
Required number of ways 52 C13 39 C13 26 C13 13 C13
(13!) 4
6
25. The value of 50
C4
r 1
56 r
C3 is
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
Ans (A)
6
50
C4
r 1
56 r
C3 50
C 4 55 C3 54 C3 53 C3 52 C3 51 C3 50 C3
50
C3 50 C4 51 C3 52 C3 53 C3 54 C3 55 C3
51C 4 51 C3 52 C3 53 C3 54 C3 55 C3 [nCr + nCr−1 = n+1Cr]
52
C 4 52 C3 53 C3 54 C3 55 C3
53
C4 53 C3 54 C3 55 C3
54
C 4 54 C3 55 C3
55
C 4 55 C3 56
C4
26. The value of 16
C9 16 C10 16 C6 16 C7 is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) n C 0 (D) 17
C3
Ans (A)
Given 16 C9 16 C10 16 C6 16 C7 16 C10 16 C9 16 C7 16 C6 n Cr n Cr 1 n 1Cr
17 C10 17 C7
17 C10 17 C17 7 n Cr n Cn r
=0
27. The number of 4 digit numbers without repetition that can be formed using the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in
which each number has two odd digits and two even digits is
(A) 436 (B) 454 (C) 432 (D) 450
Ans (C)
Given digits are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Two even digits can be selected in 3 C 2
Two odd digits can be selected in 4 C2 ways.
These selected 4 digits can be arranged in 4! ways.
Total number of ways = 4 C 2 3C2 4! = 6 3 24
= 18 24 = 432
JEE Main
1. The value of r for which 20
C r 20 C0 20
Cr 1 20 C1 20 C r 2 20
C 2 ...20 C0 20 C r is maximum, is
[JEE Main 2018]
(A) 11 (B) 20 (C) 15 (D) 10
Ans (B)
Let S = 20Cr 20C0 + 20Cr1 20C1 + 20Cr2 20C2 + … + 20C0 20Cr
Consider
(1 + x)20 = 20C0 + 20C1 x + 20C2 x2 + … + 20Cr xr + … + 20C20x20
Next consider
(1 + x)20 (1 + x)20 = (20C0 + 20C1 x + 20C2 x2 + … + 20Cr xr + … 20C20) (20C0 + 20C1 x + 20C2 x2 + … + 20Cr
xr + … + 20C2o x20)
Next coefficient of xr is (1 + x)40 is
S = 20C0 . 20Cr + 20C1 20Cr1 + … + 20Cr. 20C0
Clearly S is maximum if it is middle term in the expansion of (1 + x)40 r = 20
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
2. Consider a class of 5 girls and 7 boys. The number of different teams consisting of 2 girls and 3 boys
that can be formed from this class, if there are two specific boys A and B, who refuse to be the members
of the same team, is [JEE Main 2018]
(A) 200 (B) 350 (C) 300 (D) 500
Ans (C)
If A and B are not selected, number of ways of forming teams = 5C2 5C3 = 100
If A is selected, B won’t be part of the team number of ways we can select 2 girls and remaining 2 boys
= 5C2 5C3 = 100. Similarly where B is selected and A is not in team, no of ways forming teams = 100.
Total no of ways the team can be founded = 300
3. The number of natural numbers less than 7,000 which can he formed by using the digits 0, 1, 3, 7, 9
(repetition of digits allowed) is equal to [JEE Main 2018]
(A) 372 (B) 375 (C) 374 (D) 250
Ans (C)
Number of natural numbers with 1 digit = 4
Number of natural numbers with 2 digits = 4 5 = 20
Number of natural numbers with 3 digits = 4 5 5 = 100
Number of natural numbers with 4 digits less than 7000 = 2 5 5 5 = 250
Total number of natural numbers = 4 + 20 + 100 + 250 = 374
4. There are m men and two women participating in a chess tournament. Each participant plays two games
with every other participant. If the number of games played by the men between themselves exceeds the
number of games played between the men and the women by 84, then the value of m is
[JEE Main 2018]
(A) 11 (B) 9 (C) 7 (D) 12
Ans (D)
Number of matches among men = 2 mC2
Number of matches between a man and a women = 2 (2 m)
Given: 2(mC2) = 2 (2m) + 84
m
C2 = 2m + 42
m2 m
2m 42
2
m2 5m 84 = 0 m = 7, 12
5. From 6 different novels and 3 different dictionaries, 4 novels and 1 dictionary are to be selected and
arranged in a row on a shelf so that the dictionary is always in the middle. The number of such
arrangements is [JEE Main 2018]
(A) at least 750 but less than 1000 (B) at least 1000
(C) less than 500 (D) at least 500 but less than 750
Ans (B)
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
6. There are two urns. Urn A has 3 distinct red balls and urn B has 9 distinct blue balls. From each urn
two balls are taken out at random and then transferred to the other. The number of ways in which this
can be done is [AIEEE 2010]
(A) 3 (B) 36 (C) 66 (D) 108
Ans (D)
98
The number of ways = (3C2) (9C2) 3 108
2
7. Let Tn be the number of all possible triangles formed by joining vertices of an n-sided regular polygon. If
Tn+1 – Tn = 10, then the value of n is [JEE Main 2013]
(A) 5 (B) 10 (C) 8 (D) 7
Ans (A)
1st Solution
n 1
C3 n C3 10
(n 1)n(n 1) n(n 1)(n 2)
10
6 6
3n(n 1) = 60 n(n 1) = 20
n2 n 20 = 0 (n 5)(n + 4) = 0
2nd Solution
n 1
C3 n C3 10
n(n 1)
n C 2 10 10
2
n2 n 20 = 0
n=5
Here we have used nCr + nCr+1 = n+1Cr+1
8. Total number of four digit odd numbers that can be formed by using 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 are [AIEEE 2002]
(A) 216 (B) 375 (C) 400 (D) 720
Ans (D)
Odd numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7
We have to fill up four places like TH H T U
(Case: If repetition is allowed)
5
C1 62 4C1 = 5 62 4 = 5 36 4 = 720
9. How many ways are there to arrange the letters in the word “GARDEN” with vowels in alphabetical
order? [AIEEE 2004]
(A) 360 (B) 240 (C) 120 (D) 480
Ans (A)
Number of letters = 6
Number of vowels = 2 namely A and E these alphabets can be arranged in 2! Ways
6!
Number of words 360
2!
10. Number of ways of distributing 8 identical balls in 3 distinct boxes, so that no one box is empty, is
[AIEEE 2002]
8 8
(A) 3 (B) 21 (C) 5 (D) C3
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
Ans (B)
Each box must contain at least one ball since no box remains empty so we have the following cases
Figure
Numerical Problems
11. The letters of the word COCHIN are permuted and all the permutations are arranged in an alphabetical
order as in an English dictionary. The number of words that appear before the word COCHIN is
Ans 96
The letter of word COCHIN in alphabetic order are C, C, H, I, N, O.
Fixing first letter C and keeping C at second place, rest 4 can be arranged in 4! ways
Similarly the words starting with CH, CI, CN are 4! In each case
Then fixing first two letters as CO next four places when filled in alphabetic order give the word
COCHIN.
Number of words coming before COCHIN are 4 4! = 4 24 = 96
12. The number of seven digit integers, with sum of the digits equal to 10 and formed by using the digits
1, 2 and 3 only, is
Ans 77
We have to form 7 digit number using the digits 1, 2 and 3 only, such that the sum of the digits in a
number = 10.
This can be done by taking 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, or by taking 2, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
7! 7!
Number of ways 77
3! 4! 5!
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
13. The total number of ways in which 5 balls of different colours can be distributed among 3 persons so
that each person gets at least one ball is
Ans 150
Each person gets at least one ball.
3 persons can have 5 balls in the following systems
Person I II III
No. of balls 1 1 3
Or
Person I II III
No. of balls 1 2 2
The number of ways to distribute the balls in first system = 5C1 4C1 3C3
3!
Also 3, persons having 1, 1 and 3 balls can be arranged in ways.
2!
Number of ways to distribute 1, 1, 3 balls to the three persons
3!
5C1 4 C1 3C3 60
2!
Similarly the total number of ways to distribute 1, 2, 2 balls to the three persons
3!
5C1 4 C 2 2 C2 60
2!
The required number of ways = 60 + 90 = 150
Alternative method
Key Concept: The number of ways in which n different things can be distributed into r different groups
(when blank groups are not allowed) is rn rC1(r – 1)n + rC2(r – 2)n ....... +(–1)r–1 rCr – 1
Required number of ways = 35 3C1(3 – 1)5 + 3C2 (3 – 2)5 = 243 96 + 3 = 150
14. An n-digit number is a positive number with exactly n digits. Nine hundred distinct n- digit numbers are
to be formed using only the three digits 2, 5 and 7. The smallest value of n for which this is possible is
Ans 7
Distinct n digit numbers which can be formed using digits 2, 5 and 8 are 3n,
We have to find n so that
3n 900 3n2 100
n25n7
So, the least value of n is 7
15. Total number of 6-digit numbers in which only all the five digits 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 appear, is
56
Ans
2
1, 3, 5, 7, 9
For digit to repeat we have 5C1 choice
6
And six digits can be arrange in ways.
2
56
Hence total such numbers =
2
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
(A) x 5
(B) x 5
(C) x 5
(D) x 5 X
5 O 5
Ans (A)
13. The interval representing the solution of linear inequality in variable x is represented on number line is
(A) x ( , 5) (B) x ( , 5]
(C) x [5, ) (D) x (5, ) 5
Ans (D)
14. The interval representing the solution of linear inequality in variable x is represented on number line.
9 9
(A) x , (B) x ,
2 2
9
9 9
(C) x [ , (D) x ( , 2
2 2
Ans (B)
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
15. The interval representing the solution of linear inequality in variable x represented on number line is
(A) x , (B) x (,
7 7
2 2
7
(C) x , ) (D) x ,
7 7 2
2 2
Ans (A)
16. If nC12 = nC8, then n is equal to
(A) 20 (B) 12 (C) 6 (D) 30
Ans (A)
Given, nC12 = nC8
nCn-12 = nC8 (∵ nCr = nCn-r)
n 12 = 8 n = 20
17. The number of possible outcomes when a coin is tossed 6 times is
(A) 36 (B) 64 (C) 12 (D) 32
Ans (B)
Number of possible outcomes = 26 = 64.
18. The number of different four digit numbers that can be formed with the digit 2, 3, 4, 7 and using each
digit only once is
(A) 120 (B) 96 (C) 24 (D) 100
Ans (C)
Given, total number of digits are 4.
Total four digit numbers formed = 4P4 = 4! = 24
19. The sum of the digits in units place of all the numbers formed with the help of 3, 4, 5 and 6 taken all at a
time is
(A) 432 (B) 108 (C) 36 (D) 18
Ans (B)
If we fix 3 in the units place, then remaining 3 digits (4, 5, 6) can be arranged in 3! Ways = 6 ways
Similarly if the digits 4, 5, 6 are fixed in units place, each can be arranged in 3! ways.
Therefore, the sum of the digits in unit place of all such numbers = 3! (3 + 4 + 5 + 6) = 6 18 = 108
20. Total number of words formed by 2 vowels and 3 consonants taken from 4 vowels and 5 consonants is
equal to
(A) 60 (B) 120 (C) 7200 (D) 720
Ans (C)
Given 4 vowels and 5 consonants
Total number of words = 4C2 5C3 5!
= 6 10 120 = 7200
21. A five digit number divisible by 3 is to be formed using the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 without
repetition. The total number of ways this can be done, is
(A) 216 (B) 600 (C) 240 (D) 3125
Ans (A)
Since, a five digit number is formed using digits {0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5} divisible by 3 i.e. only possible
when sum of digits is multiple of 3 which gives two cases.
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
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1PBCBDM-Permutations and Combinations(S)
27. The number of ways in which we can choose a committee from four men and six women so that the
committee includes atleast two men and exactly twice as many women as men is
(A) 94 (B) 126 (C) 128 (D) 100
Ans (A)
Number of men = 4 and number of women = 6
According to the question, committee can be selected in the following ways
I: 2 men and 4 women implies 4C2 6C4 = 90
II: 3 men and 6 women implies 4C3 6C6 = 4
Required number of ways = 4C2 6C4 + 4C3 6C6 = 90 + 4 = 94.
28. The total number of 9-digit numbers which have all different digits is
(A) 10! (B) 9! (C) 9 9! (D) 10 10!
Ans (C)
9 9!
The total number of 9-digit numbers, having all digits different = 9 9 P8 9 9!
1!
(∵ in first place, we select any one of nine digits except zero. In rest of the eight places, we select any
eight digits from remaining 9 numbers.)
29. The number of words which can be formed out of the letters of the word ARTICLE, so that vowels
occupy the even place is
(A) 1440 (B) 144 (C) 7! (D) 4C4 3C3
Ans (B)
In a word ARTICLE, vowels are A, E, I and consonants are C, L, R, T.
In a seven letter word, there are three even places in which three vowels are placed in 3! ways. In rest of
four places, four constants are placed in 4! ways.
Required number of ways = 3! 4! = 6 24 = 144
30. Given 5 different green dyes, four different blue dyes and three different red dyes, the number of
combinations of dyes which can be chosen taking atleast one green and one blue dye is
(A) 3500 (B) 3720 (C) 3800 (D) 3600
Ans (B)
Number of ways of choosing atleast one green dye = 5C1 + 5C2 + 5C3 + 5C4 + 5C5 = 31
Number of ways of choosing atleast one blue dyes = 4C1 + 4C2 + 4C3 + 4C4 = 15
Number of choosing atleast one red dye = 3C0 + 3C1 + 3C2 + 3C3 = 8
Total number of ways of choosing atleast one blue and one green dye = (25 – 1) (24 – 1)23 = 3720
***
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