Task 4.1.2. A sports team consists of two boys and two girls. In the relay, the stages run by girls must alternate with the stages run by boys. In how many ways can the stages be distributed

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# Answer: 8

Solution. Boys can run stages 1 and 3, or stages 2 and 4. If they run stages 1 and 3, they can be distributed in two ways, and girls can be distributed in two ways, making a total of 4 ways. In the second case, there are another 4 ways, making a total of 8 ways.