Engineering Data Analysis

Notes # 6

Other counting techniques used to find the number of possible outcomes are permutations and
combinations.

Recall that the factorial of a non-negative integer n, denoted by n!, is the product of all positive integers
less than or equal to n. Thus, n! = n(n-1)(n-2)···(2)(1). By definition, 0! = 1.

Permutations

A permutation is an ordered arrangement of all or part of a set of objects.

Example 1: Consider the three letters a, b, and c. The possible permutations are abc, acb, bac, bca, cab,
and cba. We see that there are 6 distinct arrangements, because there 3 choices for the first position, 2
choices for the second position, and leaving only 1 choice for the last position. Thus, by the
multiplication principle, there are 3·2·1 = 6 possible arrangements.

In general, the number of permutations of n distinct objects is n!

Example 2: In how many ways can 5 students be arranged in a row of 5 chairs?

The arrangement of n objects in a specific order using r objects at a time is called a permutation of n
objects taken r at a time. It is written as n Pr , read as n permutation r , and the formula is

n!
Pr =
n
(n − r )!
Example 3: Consider the letters a, b, c, and d. If we choose two letters at a time and the order matters
so that ab is not the same as ba, then the possible 2-letter permutations are

ab, ac, ad, bc, bd, cd, ba, ca, da, cb, db, dc.
 4!
Thus, 4 P2 = = 12 .
(4 − 2)!
Example 4: In how many ways can a President, Vice-President, and Secretary be chosen from a class of
15 students?

Example 5: In how many ways can 6 out of 10 students be seated in a row of 6 chairs?

The number of distinct permutations of n objects of which n1 are alike of the first kind, n 2 are alike of
the second kind, ....., nk are alike of the kth kind where n1 + n2 +  + nk = n is

n!
n1!n2 ! nk !

Example 6: How many distinct permutations can be made from the letters AABBBCCCC?

Example 7: How many different letter arrangements can be formed from the word STATISTICS?
Combinations

A combination is an unordered arrangement of r objects taken from a set of n objects. It is written as

n
n Cr or   which is read as n choose r and the formula is
r 

n n!
C r =   =
 r  (n − r )! r!
n

Example: Again consider the letters a, b, c, and d. If we choose two letters at a time but this time the
order does not matter so that ab is the same as ba, then the possible 2-letter combinations are

ab, ac, ad, bc, bd, cd.

 4 4!
Thus,   = =6.
 2  (4 − 2 )!2!

Example 8: In how many ways can you choose a committee consisting of 4 people from 10 people?

Example 9: From 20 tickets in a hat, 4 tickets are to be chosen at random. The holders of the winning
tickets are to be awarded pangkabuhayan showcase. In how many ways can the 4 winners be chosen?
Exercises

1. In how many different ways can a race with 9 runners be completed, assuming there is no tie?

2. A pianist plans to play 8 pieces at a recital. In how many ways can she arrange these pieces in the
program?

3. You are given a collection of 10 balls of different colors. How many ways are there to choose 3 of
these balls?

4. The flags of many nations consist of three vertical stripes. Suppose that the following 9 colors are
available: black, yellow, red, blue, white, gold, orange, pink, purple. How many different flags of 3
colors can be made without repetition of colors in a flag?

5. How many possible handshakes are there for 20 people in a room?

6. In how many ways can the first, second, and third prizes be awarded in a contest with 30
contestants?

7. There are 9 points lying on a circle. How many triangles can be drawn using the 9 points?

8. In how many ways can the 5 starting positions in a basketball team be filled by 10 players if

(a) specific players play specific positions?

(b) any player can play any position?

9. In how many ways can a pizza be filled with 5 toppings from a choice of 12 toppings?

10. A student has to answer only 4 out of 10 essay questions on a philosophy midterm examination.
How many possible examination selections can the student make?