There are 4 representatives from each of 4 companies at a convention. at the start of the convention, every person shakes hands once with every person except the other representatives from their company. how many handshakes are there?

96 ways

Explanation: this is a combination.

If the company reps are designated as A, B, C & D.

A can have Handshakes with the rest 3

B can have Handshakes with the rest 2

C can shake hands with D

So 3+2+1=6 multiplied by the total number of reps i.e 16.

So 16x6=96

answer; ( action training environment;

d. i assume the underlined word is "role." reformat if it isn't.

explanation:

role is closest to part because when replacing words, "playing a vital decision," "playing a vital activity," and "playing a vital dollar" don't make logical sense. the only meaningful choice is "playing a vital part."

this fits one of merriam-webster's definitions of role: "a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process."