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Factorials
Frequently when counting the number of possible outcomes we need to use factorials. A factorial is a product of consecutive integers. k! = k(k-1)(k-2)(k-3) . . .321 5! = 54321 = 120 It is also the case that k! = k(k-1)! = k(k-1)(k-2)!
8! ! 40320
20! ! 2.432902008E18
Permutations
A permutation of r objects from a collection of m objects is an ordered arrangement of the r objects. It is essential to remember that with permutations order is important. The notation that we use to represent combinations is mPr As an example of some permutations choose any three letters from the alphabet to form a word. If we dont allow letters to be repeated in any word then there are 26 choices for the first letter, 25 choices for the second letter and 24 choices for the 3rd letter. By the Basic Counting Rule the total number of words we can form is 262524 = 15,600. Words with the same letters in different arrangements are considered to be different words. This means that act is different from cat is different from tac, etc.
Pr !
(m r )!
Going back to the example on the previous slide the number of 3 letter words with no letters repeating is the number of permutations of 26 objects (letters) taken 3 at a time 26! 26! ! ! 15600 26 P ! 3 (26 3)! 23!
P6
8 1
8! 8! ! !8 8P ! 1 (8 1)! 7!
10! 10! ! ! 3628800 10 P ! 10 (10 10)! 0!
10 10
6! 6! ! ! 720 6P ! 6 (6 6)! 0!
Combinations
A combination of r objects from a collection of m objects is an unordered arrangement of the r objects. Remember that with combinations order is not important. The notation that we use to represent combinations is mCr As an example of combinations choose any three books from the 20 books listed in a book clubs catalog. The total number of threebook combinations is 1140.
Cr !
r !(m r )!
Going back to the example on the previous slide the number of 3 book combinations out of 20 books is the number of combinations of 20 objects (books) taken 3 at a time 20! 20! ! ! 1140 20 C3 ! 3!(20 3)! 3!17!
C1
How many different committees of 8 people can be formed from a group of 25?