Grid Paths via an Intermediate Point

CAT 2019 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Co-geometry

This is a hard Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2019 Slot 1 paper. It tests Co-geometry. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

With rectangular axes of coordinates, the number of paths from (1,1)(1,1) to (8,10)(8,10) via (4,6)(4,6), where each step from any point (x,y)(x, y) is either to (x,y+1)(x, y+1) or to (x+1,y)(x+1, y), is

Answer

3920

Explanation

Path from (1,1)(1,1) to (4,6)(4,6): right steps =3= 3, up steps =5= 5. Number of paths =(3+53)=(83)=56= \binom{3+5}{3} = \binom{8}{3} = 56. Path from (4,6)(4,6) to (8,10)(8,10): right steps =4= 4, up steps =4= 4. Number of paths =(4+44)=(84)=70= \binom{4+4}{4} = \binom{8}{4} = 70. Total paths =56×70=3920= 56 \times 70 = 3920.

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