UPSC Prelims 2023·CSAT·Quantitative Aptitude·Combinatorics and Probability

A flag has to be designed with 4 horizontal stripes using some or all of the colours red, green and yellow. What is the number of different ways in which this can be done so that no two adjacent stripes have the same colour?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A12
  2. B18
  3. C24Correct
  4. D36

Explanation

To design a flag with 4 horizontal stripes using 3 colors (red, green, yellow) such that no two adjacent stripes have the same colour: 1. For the first stripe, there are 3 possible choices (red, green, or yellow). 2. For the second stripe, since it cannot be the same colour as the first stripe, there are 2 remaining choices. 3. For the third stripe, since it cannot be the same colour as the second stripe, there are 2 remaining choices (it can be the same colour as the first stripe, but not the second). 4. For the fourth stripe, since it cannot be the same colour as the third stripe, there are 2 remaining choices (it can be the same colour as the second stripe, but not the third). Total number of different ways = (Choices for 1st stripe) x (Choices for 2nd stripe) x (Choices for 3rd stripe) x (Choices for 4th stripe) Total ways = 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24. Thus, there are 24 different ways to design the flag. The final answer is C) 24.
Quantitative Aptitude: A flag has to be designed with 4 horizontal stripes using some or all of the colours red, green and yellow. What is the

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