Grade

10

MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 3 – MODULE 3
MELC 5
Part 1.
MELC 5: Solves problems involving permutations and combinations

A. Introduction/Discussion
This learning material given to you is not a test.
It is especially designed for you to learn the concept(s) and idea(s) in solving
problems involving permutations and combinations. It aims to present the lesson in a
concise (clear) and comprehensive (complete) manner.
This module deals with solving real-life applications of permutations and combinations.
Sample problems are included to make it easy for you to understand the basic concept of
permutations and combinations. Reinforcement exercises at the end of the lesson are included
to assess your learning and to improve your skills in solving problems.
Concepts are carefully developed using appropriate language and mathematical
symbols that will enable you to understand, appreciate, and use them in your daily life.
After dealing with this module, you are expected to solve word problems involving
permutations and combinations. This topic will lead you to think and analyze critically and
accurately especially solving or handling true-to-life situations.
From the previous lessons, we studied about fundamental counting principle that leads
to the derivation of permutation. By definition, PERMUTATION is an arrangement of things in
a definite order or the ordered arrangement of distinguishable objects without allowing
repetitions among objects. In short, it refers to the different arrangement of a set of objects.
𝒏!
The number of permutations of 𝒏 objects taken 𝒓 at a time is 𝑷(𝒏, 𝒓) = (𝒏−𝒓)! where 𝒏 ≥ 𝒓.

Distinguishable Permutation and Circular Permutation are types of permutation.

On the other hand, COMBINATION is the number of ways of selecting from a set when
order is not important. The number of combinations of 𝒏 objects taken 𝒓 at a time is given by
𝒏!
𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = 𝒓! (𝒏−𝒓)! where 𝒏 ≥ 𝒓.

But most of us are still confused about the difference between permutation and
combination. When someone said, “My fruit salad is a combination of apples, bananas, and
grapes”. We don’t care what order the fruits are in, they could also be ‘bananas, grapes, and
apples” or “grapes, apples, and bananas”, it’s the same fruit salad.
Now. When someone says, “The combination to the lock is 123”. Now we do care
about the order. “213” won’t work, nor will “312”. It has to be exactly 1-2-3. This is an example
of Permutation.

B. Illustrative Examples: Permutation

Example 1: In how many different ways can 7 bicycles be parked if there are 5 available
parking spaces?

Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: Yes

Why?.….In parking bicycles, sometimes we are considering arrangement
according to the brand, height, color, types (mtb, racer, etc).
𝒏!
Formula: 𝑷(𝒏, 𝒓) = (𝒏−𝒓)! (Since there were 7 bicycles, 𝑛 = 7 and 5 parking spaces, 𝑟 = 5)
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 𝟕! 𝟕! 𝟓,𝟎𝟒𝟎
𝑷(𝟕, 𝟓) = (𝟕−𝟓)! = (𝟐)! = 𝟐
= 𝟐, 𝟓𝟐𝟎 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔
Example 2: In how many ways can 5 people arrange themselves in a row for picture taking?

Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: Yes

Why?.....In taking pictures, sometimes we are considering our arrangement
according to height, gender, age, skin color, etc.
𝒏!
Formula: 𝑷(𝒏, 𝒓) = (𝒏−𝒓)! (Since there were 5 people involved, 𝑛 = 5 and 𝑟 = 5)
𝟓! 𝟓! 𝟏𝟐𝟎
𝑷(𝟓, 𝟓) = (𝟓−𝟓)!
= (𝟎)! = 𝟏
= 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔
Alternative Solution:
𝑷(𝒏, 𝒏) = 𝒏! (Since,𝑛 = 𝑟)
𝑷(𝟓, 𝟓) = 𝟓! = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔

Distinct or Distinguishable Permutation

Distinct or Distinguishable Permutation refers to the permutations of a set of objects
where some of them are alike. The number of distinguishable permutations of 𝒏 objects when
𝑛!
𝒑 are alike, 𝒒 are alike, 𝒓 are alike, and so on, is given by 𝑃 = .
𝑝!𝑞!𝑟!…

Example 3: Find the number of permutations of the letters of the word STATISTICS.
Solution: Letters that are alike: Let 𝒏 = no. of letters in the word STATISTICS
STATISTICS -------- S=3 Therefore, 𝒏 = 10.

STATISTICS -------- T=3 Let 𝒑 = no. of letter “S” in the word STATISTICS
Therefore, 𝒑 = 3.
STATISTICS --------- I=2 Let 𝒒 = no. of letter “T” in the word STATISTICS
Therefore, 𝒒 = 3.
𝑛! Let 𝒓 = no. of letter “I” in the word STATISTICS
Formula: 𝑃=
𝑝!𝑞!𝑟!… Therefore, 𝒓 = 2.
10! 3,638,800 3,638,800
𝑃 = 3!3!2! = (6)(6)(2)
= 72
= 𝟓𝟎, 𝟒𝟎𝟎 Distinguishable permutations

Circular Permutation
Circular Permutation is the different possible arrangements of objects in a circle. The
number of permutations, 𝑃, of 𝒏 objects around a circle is given by 𝑃 = (𝑛 − 1)!.
Example 4: In how many ways can 4 people be seated around a circular table?
Solution: 𝑃 = (𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 = 4)
𝑃 = (4 − 1)! = (4 − 1)! = (3)! = 𝟔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔
Example 5: In how many ways can 11 people be seated around a circular table:
a) if the eldest teacher will be seated on the right side of the youngest teacher?
b) if the eldest teacher and the youngest are seated side by side?

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Solution (5a): The condition: the eldest teacher should be at the right side of the youngest.
Possible illustration:
BEFORE AFTER 𝑃 = (𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 = 10)
𝑃 = (10 − 1)!
ELDEST 1 SEAT
𝑃 = 9!
YOUNGEST 𝒏 = 𝟏𝟎
NOTE: The no. of permutation
𝒏 = 𝟏𝟏 from the 2 teachers is 1! since
exchanging each other is not
possible.

𝑃 = 9! 𝑥 1!
1!
𝑃 = 362,880 𝑥 1
𝑷 = 𝟑𝟔𝟐, 𝟖𝟖𝟎 possible
ways

Solution (5b): The condition: the eldest teacher and the youngest are seated side by side.
Possible illustration:
BEFORE ELDEST AFTER
1 SEAT
YOUNGEST
𝒏 = 𝟏𝟎
𝒏 = 𝟏𝟏 NOTE:
The no. of permutation from
the 2 teachers is 2! since
exchanging each other is
possible.
𝑃 = (𝑛 − 1)! (𝑛 = 10) 𝑃 = 9! 𝑥 2!
𝑃 = (10 − 1)! 𝑃 = 362,880 𝑥 2 2!
𝑃 = 9! 𝑷 = 𝟕𝟐𝟓, 𝟕𝟔𝟎 possible
ways

Combination:
Example 6: In how many ways can a committee consisting of 4 members be formed from 8
people?
Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: No
Why?.....In a committee, any members could form a group without
specification.

𝒏!
Formula: 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = 𝒓! (𝒏−𝒓)! (Since there were 8 people, 𝑛 = 8 and 4 members to be
formed, 𝑟 = 4)

𝟖!
𝑪(𝟖, 𝟒) =
𝟒! (𝟖−𝟒)!
= 𝟒!𝟖!(𝟒)! = (𝟐𝟒)(𝟐𝟒)
𝟒𝟎,𝟑𝟐𝟎
= 𝟒𝟎,𝟑𝟐𝟎
𝟓𝟕𝟔
= 𝟕𝟎 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔

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Example 7: How many polygons can be possibly formed from 6 distinct points on a plane
no three of which are collinear?
Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: No
Why?.....In forming a polygon, we can consider any combination of points.

NOTE: The polygon may have 3, 4, 5, or 6 vertices.

3 sides 4 sides 5 sides 6 sides

𝒏! 𝒏! 𝒏! 𝒏!
𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) =
𝒓! (𝒏 − 𝒓)! 𝒓! (𝒏 − 𝒓)! 𝒓! (𝒏 − 𝒓)! 𝒓! (𝒏 − 𝒓)!
𝟔! 𝟔! 𝟔! 𝟔!
𝑪(𝟔, 𝟑) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟒) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟓) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟔) =
𝟑! (𝟔 − 𝟑)! 𝟒! (𝟔 − 𝟒)! 𝟓! (𝟔 − 𝟓)! 𝟔! (𝟔 − 𝟔)!
𝟔! 𝟔! 𝟔! 𝟔!
𝑪(𝟔, 𝟑) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟒) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟓) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟔) =
𝟑! (𝟑)! 𝟒! (𝟐)! 𝟓! (𝟏)! 𝟔! (𝟎)!
𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎
𝑪(𝟔, 𝟑) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟒) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟓) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟔) =
(𝟔)(𝟔) (𝟐𝟒)(𝟐) (𝟏𝟐𝟎)(𝟏) (𝟕𝟐𝟎)(𝟏)
𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎
𝑪(𝟔, 𝟑) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟒) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟓) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟔) =
𝟑𝟔 𝟒𝟖 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟐𝟎
𝑪(𝟔, 𝟑) = 𝟐𝟎 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟒) = 𝟏𝟓 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟓) = 𝟔 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟔) = 𝟏 𝒘𝒂𝒚

Example 8: At a party, each guest shook hands with every other guest exactly ones. There
were a total of 95 handshakes. How many guests were there?

Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: No

Why?.....In any gathering, we can handshake any guest if we want to.

𝒏!
Formula: 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = (Since, we are looking for total number guests, 𝑛 = 8,
𝒓! (𝒏−𝒓)!
and in handshaking, you and a guest are only involved, 𝑟 = 2)
𝒏!
𝑪(𝒏, 𝟐) = (by substitution)
𝟐! (𝒏−𝟐)!
𝒏!
𝟗𝟓 = 𝟒 (𝒏−𝟐)! (substituting 𝑷(𝒏, 𝟐)=95 and 2!=4)
𝒏(𝒏−𝟏)(𝒏−𝟐)
𝟗𝟓 = (but 𝑛! = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2))
𝟒 (𝒏−𝟐)!
𝒏(𝒏−𝟏)(𝒏−𝟐)!
𝟗𝟓 = (by cancellation)
𝟒 (𝒏−𝟐)!

𝟗𝟓(𝟒) = 𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏) (multiplying 4 to 95)

𝟑𝟖𝟎 = 𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏) (95x4=380)
𝟑𝟖𝟎 = 𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏) (by trial and error, think 2 consecutive factors
equal to 380)
𝟑𝟖𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎(𝟏𝟗) Therefore, n=20

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Example 9: A group of 10 women and 6 men must select a four-person committee.
How many committees are possible if it must consist of the following:
a) Two men and two women? b) majority of women? c) majority of men?
Solution: Question: Is the order important? Answer: No
Why?.....Forming a committee does not require order of selection.
NOTE: There are 10 woman and 6 men (𝑛1 = 10 & 𝑛2 = 6)
They are selecting 4 persons to form a committee (𝑟 = 4). But 𝒓 will be distributed
according to given conditions.
(9a) condition: Selecting four-person committee consisting of two men and two women
Given: for woman (𝑛 = 10 & 𝑟 = 2) for men (𝑛 = 6 & 𝑟 = 2)
𝒏! 𝒏!
Formula: 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) = Formula: 𝑪(𝒏, 𝒓) =
𝒓! (𝒏−𝒓)! 𝒓! (𝒏−𝒓)!
𝟏𝟎! 𝟔!
𝑪(𝟏𝟎, 𝟐) = 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟐) =
𝟐! (𝟏𝟎−𝟐)! 𝟐! (𝟔−𝟐)!
𝟏𝟎! 𝟔!
𝑪(𝟏𝟎, 𝟐) = = 𝟒𝟓 𝑪(𝟔, 𝟐) = = 𝟏𝟓
𝟐! (𝟖)! 𝟐! (𝟒)!

𝑁 = 𝐶(10,2) • 𝐶(6,2) = 45 • 15 = 𝟔𝟕𝟓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒔

(9b) condition: In selecting four-person committee consisting of majority of women, there are
2 scenarios:
Another Illustration:
Scenario 1: Scenario 2:
Women=4 Men=0 Women=3 Men=1 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
C(10,4) x C(6,0) C(10,3) x C(6,1)
10!
x
6! 10!
x
6! 𝐶410 𝐶06 + 𝐶310 𝐶16
4!(10−4)! 0!(6−0)! 3!(10−3)! 1!(6−1)!

3,628,800 720 3,628,800 720 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟

x x
(24)(720)! (1)(720) (6)(5,040)! (1)(120) (210)(1) + (120)(6)
210 x 1 120 x 6 210 + 720
= 𝟐𝟏𝟎 = 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝟗𝟑𝟎 possible committees
𝟐𝟏𝟎 + 𝟕𝟐𝟎 = 𝟗𝟑𝟎 possible committees

(8c) condition: In selecting four-person committee consisting of majority of men, there are
also 2 scenarios:

Scenario 1: Scenario 2:
Women=0 Men=4 Women=1 Men=3
C(10,0) x C(6,4) C(10,1) x C(6,3)
10! 6! 10! 6!
x x
0!(10−0)! 4!(6−4)! 1!(10−1)! 3!(6−3)!
10! 6! 10! 6!
x x
0!(10)! 4!(2)! 1!(9)! 3!(3)!
3,628,800 720 3,628,800 720
x x
(1)(3,628,800) (24)(2) (1)(362,880) (6)(6)
1 x 15 10 x 20
= 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎
𝟏𝟓 + 𝟐𝟎𝟎 = 𝟐𝟏𝟓 possible committees

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Part II. Activities
A. Directions: Analyze carefully each problem. Write “permu” if it is an example of
permutation and “combi” if is combination.
____________ 1. getting 3 shirts from 10 choices for a 3-day retreat.
____________ 2. assigning 3 readers for a recollection for 3 different passages.
____________ 3. choosing 5 basketball players from a bench of 12 players for a jump ball.
____________ 4. grabbing 6 marbles from a box of 30 marbles.
____________ 5. determining the succession of film floats in a film festival.
____________ 6. choosing 10 students from a class of 35 for an international competition.
____________ 7. getting 8 books at a maximum from a school fair book sale.
____________ 8. the first three places in a marathon.
____________ 9. all arrangements of the letters MNL
____________10. 5 children posing for a photograph

B. Analyze and solve each problem carefully and accurately.

1. How many distinguishable permutations are possible with all the letters of the word
ELLIPSES?
2. If there are 10 people and only 6 chairs available, in how many ways can they be
seated?
3. Find a number of ways that a family of 6 can be seated around a circular table with 6
chairs?
4. One of the highlight activities of Binalonan Town Fiesta is the MASS WEDDING held
every February 14. In the venue, they putted round tables around the dancing
fountain for couples and each table can hold 5 couples. Consider one of the tables in
the venue which is prepared for the first five couples that will arrive.
a) How many ways are there to arrange the first five couples in a round table?
b) How many arrangements are there where the couples are seated together?
c) How many arrangements are there if wives are seated together?
d) How many arrangements are there if husband and wife seat alternately?
5. A box contains 7 red balls, 5 yellow balls, and 3 green balls. In how many ways can
we select 3 balls such that:
a) They are all red?
b) They are all yellow?
c) They are all green?
d) They are of different colors?
e) Exactly 2 are yellow?
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Answer Key:

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Part III Assessment
Let’s now proceed to the application of what you’ve learned. Be careful in answering
each item because solving word problem requires much of your comprehension and analysis.
Direction: Read, analyze, and compute each problem accurately. Write the letter of your
answer on the space provided before each number.

_____ 1. Which of the following is an example of permutation?

A. forming different pairs of cards
B. forming a committee from Grade 10
C. selecting first, second, and third placers on a race
D. illustrating diagonals on a pentagon

_____ 2. In how many different ways can 9 people be seated at a round table?
A. 3,268,800 B. 362,880 C. 40,320 D. 5,040

_____ 3. Find the number of permutations of the letters of the word PHILIPPINES.
A. 302,400 B. 100,800 C. 1,108,800 D. 3,326,400

_____ 4. Which of the following expressions represents the number of distinguishable

permutations of the letters of the word CONCLUSIONS?
11! 11! 11!
A. 11! B. C. D.
8! 2! 2! 2! 2! 2! 2! 2!

_____ 5. C(n, n) = ____.

A. n! B. r C. 1 D. cannot be determined

_____ 6. If C(n, r) = 35, which of the following are possible values of n and r?
(You can use trial-and-error method)
A. n = 6, r = 4 B. n = 7, r = 3 C. n = 8, r = 3 D. n = 9, r = 2

_____ 7. If C(n, 4) = 126, what is n?

A. 11 B. 10 C. 9 D. 7

_____ 8. If C(12, r) = 792, which of the following is a possible value of r?

A. 8 B. 7 C. 6 D. 4

_____ 9. From a list of 12 books, how many groups of 2 books can be selected?
A. 36 B. 46 C. 56 D. 66

_____ 10. How many basketball teams of 4 players can be formed from 10 players?
A. 211 B. 201 C. 120 D. 210

_____ 11. If Danny selects 5 discs from 10 discs and Manny selects 7 discs from 10 discs.
Who has the most choice?
A. Danny B. Manny C. They have the same choices.

_____ 12. Jane wants to solve a system of equations through elimination by combining any
two equations. The number of equations she has is equal to the number of variables.
She realizes that she has 10 possible ways to start her solution. How many equations
does she have?
A. 6 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3
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_____ 13. In how many ways can 7 people be seated around a circular table if two of them
insist on sitting beside each other?
A. 360 B. 720 C. 1440 D. 5040

_____ 14. A box contain 8 red balls, 6 yellow balls, and 5 green balls. In how many ways
can we select 3 balls such that two are red and one is yellow?
A. 56 B. 128 C. 168 D. 240

_____ 15. A box contains 7 red balls, 5 yellow balls, and 3 green balls. In how many ways
can we select 3 balls such that exactly 2 are yellow?
A. 100 B. 128 C. 240 D. 256

References:

CALLANTA, MELVIN M., ET. AL. Mathematics – Grade 10 Learner’s Module (First
Edition 2015). Rex Book Store, Inc.

ORONCE, ORLANDO A., ET AL. (1996). Mathematics IV (Concepts, Structures,

and Methods for High School). Rex Book Store, Inc.
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