MathDB
5 pairs of cartoon characters around a round table of 10 chairs

Source: Dutch NMO 2002 p4

September 21, 2019
combinatorics

Problem Statement

Five pairs of cartoon characters, Donald and Katrien Duck, Asterix and Obelix, Suske and Wiske, Tom and Jerry, Heer Bommel and Tom Poes, sit around a round table with 1010 chairs. The two members of each pair ensure that they sit next to each other. In how many different ways can the ten seats be occupied? Two ways are different if they cannot be transferred to each other by a rotation.