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Mathematics
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Solving Problems Involving
Permutations and Combinations
Mathematics – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Solving Problems Involving Permutations and Combinations
First Edition, 2020

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Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module is prepared so that you, our dear learners,

can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
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Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module provides you an activity that will help you learn about
solving problems involving permutations and combinations. (M10SP-IIId-e-1)

What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. In how many ways can 4 teachers arrange themselves in a row for a picture
taking?
A. 24 B. 12 C. 48 D. 4
2. In how many ways can a committee of 3 learners be formed from 8 juniors?
A. 12 B. 24 C. 48 D. 56
3. Seven Grade 10 learners join in a sack race. In how many ways can they
be arranged as a first, a second and a third placer?
A. 49 B. 100 C. 210 D. 21
4. In a classroom, there are 8 chairs in a row. In how many ways can 5
students be seated in consecutive chairs?
A. 24 B. 120 C. 240 D. 18
5. How many distinct permutations of the letters of the word CLICK are there?
A. 60 B. 10 C. 50 D. 30
6. In how many ways can 4 girls be seated in a circular table if two of them
insist sitting beside each other?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 1
7. The teacher will select 3 students out of 15 students to compete in Math
contest. In how many ways can he/she do the selection?
A. 455 B. 210 C. 320 D. 130
8. In how many ways can 4 teachers be seated in a round table?
A. 3 B. 6 C. 5 D. 8
9. In tossing a coin 4 times, how many ways can you get exactly 2 heads and
2 tails?
A. 8 B. 6 C. 16 D. 12
10. How many different sets of 3 cards can be drawn from standard deck of
52 playing cards?
A. 12,100 B. 22,100 C. 15,600 D. 35,200
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 Lesson Solving Problems Involving
Permutation and
1 Combination

What’s In

There are two questions you have to answer before solving a

permutation / combination problem.

1). Are we dealing with permutation or combination? Does the order matter?
2). Is repetition allowed/not allowed?

Once we have answered these questions, we use the appropriate

formula to solve the problem. Let us recall/review those formulas.

Permutation Formula (Order is important)

1. Number of permutations of n objects.
P(n,n) = n! = n(n-1) (n-2) (n-3) … (2)(1) where n = r

2. Number of permutations of n objects taken r at a time.

𝑛!
P (n, r) = where n>r
(𝑛−𝑟)!

3. In Distinguishable Permutation, the number of distinct permutations of n

𝑛!
objects of which p are alike, q are alike, r are alike and so on is P =
𝑝!𝑞!𝑟!…

4. Circular Permutation is an arrangement of objects in a circular manner.

Its formula is (n-1)!

Combination Formula (Order is not important).

𝑛!
Number of combinations of n objects taken r at a time is C(n, r) =
(𝑛−𝑟 )!𝑟!

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 What’s New

Ana, Liza, Mara, Beth and Nora are friends since they entered high
school. Now that they are in Grade 10, they wanted to have a photo souvenir
before their graduation. So, they decided to visit the photoshop near their
school.

a. In how many ways can they be arranged themselves in a row for a

photograph?
b. In how many ways can they be seated in a round table for a pictorial?
c. If Ana and Nora are identical twins, in how many ways can they be
arranged for a pictorial?
d. The photographer wants to select 3 among them to become the model
of his shop. In how many ways can he do the selection?

What Is It

When dealing with some word problems involving permutation and

combination, you must know some clues/hints on what the problem is all
about and what formula is to be used. These clues/hints will help you
understand more the problem and use the right formula and solution, like
when you arrange or list things and the order is important (permutation),
when you choose, select, pick, draw or form and the order is not important
(combination), when objects are alike (distinguishable permutation) and when
objects are arranged in circular manner (circular permutation).

Illustrative Examples

1. How many four – digit numbers can be formed using the numbers 1, 3, 5,
and 6 if
a. no repetition is allowed?
b. repetition is allowed?

Solution:
a. no repetition is allowed
There are 4 positions to be filled. We write four horizontal marks: __ __ __
__. On each horizontal mark, write the number of choices we have in filling
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 up the said position. There are 4 choices for the first position, after filling
the first position, there are 3 choices left for the second position, 2 choices
for the third position and 1 choice for the fourth position.

4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1 = 24 four-digit numbers can be formed

Using the formula

𝑛! 4! 4! 4∙ 3∙ 2∙1 24
P(n, n) =
(𝑛−𝑛)!
=
(4−4)!
= = = = 24 four-digit numbers
0! 1 1
can be formed
b. Repetition is allowed.
There are 4 positions to be filled. We write four horizontal marks: __ __ __
__ . On a horizontal mark, write the number of choices we have in filling
up the said position. There are 4 choices for the first position, after filling
the first position, there are 4 choices also for the second position because
repetition is allowed. We can choose again the number we chose in the first
position, 4 choices again for the third position and 4 choices also for the
fourth position.

4∙ 4 ∙ 4 ∙ 4 = 256 four-digit numbers can be formed

Using the formula: P = nr

P = nr = 44 = 4∙ 4 ∙ 4 ∙ 4 = 256 four-digit numbers can be formed

Note: This formula is applicable if there is no 0 digit from the given numbers.

2. From the digits 0, 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9. How many three-digit numbers can be

made if
a. repetition is not allowed?
b. repetition is allowed?

Solution:
a. Repetition is not allowed.
There are 3 positions to be filled. Draw 3 horizontal marks __ __ __.
On the first mark you only have 5 choices because 0 digit cannot be placed
in hundred place. After the first mark was filled by a non-zero digit, you
have 5 choices for the second mark (the four remaining non-zero digits and
the 0 digit) we can include 0 in the second and third position, and on the
third mark you have 4 choices.

5 · 5 · 4 = 100 three-digit numbers can be formed

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b. Repetition is allowed.
There are 3 positions to be filled. Draw three horizontal marks __ __ __. On
the first mark you only have 5 choices because the 0 digit cannot be placed
in hundred place. After the first mark was filled by a non-zero digit, you
have 6 choices for the second mark because repetition of digits is allowed
and you can include 0 digit in the choices, on the third mark you also have
6 choices.

5 · 6 · 6 = 180 three-digit numbers can be formed

3. How many distinguishable permutations of the word ELLIPSES are there?

Solution: n = 8
In the word ELLIPSES there are 2 E’s, 2 L’s and 2 S’
Using the formula:
𝑛! 8! 8 ∙7 ∙6 ∙5 ∙4 ∙3 ∙2 ∙1 8 ∙7 ∙6 ∙5 ∙4 ∙3 ∙2 ∙1
P= = = = = 5040
𝑝!𝑞!𝑟!,.. 2!2!2! 2 ∙1 ∙2 ∙1 ∙2 ∙1 8

There are 5,040 distinguishable permutations from the word ELLIPSES.

4. In how many ways can 7 children be seated in a round table?

Use circular permutation where n = 7.
P = (n-1)! = (7-1)! =6! = 6·5·4·3·2·1 = 720 ways.

5. In how many ways can a family of 6 members be seated in a circular table

if two of them insist sitting beside each other?

If two of them insist to sit beside each other, count them as one.

So, 1 plus the remaining 4 members, then n = 5

The arrangement of the two members insisting to sit beside each other is
2! because they can switch their positions.

P=(n-1)! = (5-1)!2! = 4!2! = 4·3·2·1·2·1 = 48 ways

6. Mario bought 4 different Mathematics books (Algebra, Geometry, Statistics

and Trigonometry) and 5 different Science books (Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Natural Science, and Anatomy). If he wants to put them on a shelf,
how many ways can Mario arrange these books on a shelf if
a. no restrictions?
b. books of the same subject must be placed together?

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Solution:
a. no restrictions - It means, Mario can place 9 books anywhere.
9! = 9∙ 8∙ 7∙ 6∙ 5∙ 4∙ 3∙ 2∙ 1 = 362,880 ways

b. Books of the same subject must be placed together. Together means

count the same subject as one.

Math Algebra Geometry Statistics Trigonometry

Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics Natural, Science, Anatomy

since Math and Science can interchange their positions, so it’s 2!

4! · 5! · 2! = 4·3·2·1·5·4·3·2·1·2·1 = 5, 760 ways

7. Nena’s house is three blocks north and five blocks west from her school.
How many routes can Nena take from her house to school if she always
walks in either south or east?

House N

W E

S
school

Consider some various ways that Nena can walk from her house to
school in either south or east.

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 Notice that in each of the possible routes, the total number of blocks is
8. Also notice that some elements that are identical to each other, E shows
up 5 times and S shows up 3 times. Thus, we must treat this as a permutation
problem in which some of the elements are identical. Keeping that in mind,
the number of routes she can walk would be:

8! 8·7·6·5! 8·7·6
P= = = = 8·7 = 56
5!3! 5!3! 3·2·1

By walking, there are 56 routes from her house to school in either south or
east direction.

8. In how many ways can a class president and a class vice president be
chosen from 15 students?

Using the formula: 7

𝑛! 15! 15! 15∙14∙13! 15∙14
C(15,2) =
(𝑛−𝑟)!𝑟!
=( = = = =105 ways
15−2)!2! 13!2! 13!2! 2∙1

9. If Pedro must answer any 5 questions on a Math quiz containing 8

questions, in how many ways can he choose the 5 questions?

Using the formula:

𝑛! 8! 8! 8∙7∙6·5! 8∙7·6
C(8,5) =
(𝑛−𝑟)!𝑟!
= (8−5)!5!
= = = = 56 ways.
3!5! 3!5! 3·2∙1

10. A box contains 5 red balls, 7 green balls and 6 yellow balls. In how many
ways can 6 balls be drawn if there should be 2 balls of each color?

Solution: We need to draw 6 balls (2 balls of each color)

drawing 2 balls from 5 red balls

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5! 5! 5 ∙ 4 ∙ 3! 5∙4
C(5,2)=
(5−2)!2!
= = = = 10
3!2! 3!2! 2

drawing 2 balls from 7 green balls

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 7! 7! 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5! 7∙6
C(7,2)=
(7−2)!2!
= = = = 21
5!2! 5!2! 2

drawing 2 balls from 6 yellow balls

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6! 6! 6 ∙ 5 ∙ 4! 6∙5
C(6,2)=
(6−2)!2!
= = = = 15
4!2! 4!2! 2

Multiply all the answers obtained: 10 · 21 · 15 = 3,150 ways

What’s More

Directions: Solve the following problems. Show your solution on a separate

sheet of paper.

1. In how many ways can a sarisari store owner arrange 8 different canned
goods in a shelf if there are only 5 enough spaces?
2. In how many ways can 5 learners stand in circular to play a game?
3. A teacher wants to assign 4 different tasks to her 4 learners. In how many
possible ways can she do it?
4. How many distinct permutations of the letters of the word PHILIPPINES
are there?
5. In how many ways can you choose 4 cleaners from 20 learners?
6. Liza decided to display her 6 different medals on a wall. In how many ways
can she do this?
7. Beth, Jonna, Alice and Mary will arrange themselves in a row but Jonna
and Alice insist to stand next to each other. How many arrangements are
possible?
8. How many distinct permutations of the letters of the word MISSISSIPPI are
there?
9. How many different ways can 5 students line up to purchase a new
textbook reader?
10. In how many ways can a photographer arrange 7 learners in a row for a
picture taking to be used in their school I.D.?

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 What I Have Learned

Directions: Solve the following problem. Write your answer and solution on
a separate sheet of paper.

1. There are 3 COVID – 19 vaccines available in Health Center and they

wanted to randomly select 3 among their 15 employees to test the said
vaccine. In how many ways can they be selected?
2. In how many ways can a class representative of 5 students be chosen from
7 girls and 9 boys if,
a. there is no restriction?
b. there must be 2 girls and 3 boys?

3. Lala is transferring to a new house. She has a collection of bags but she
cannot take them all with her. In how many ways can she select 5 bags
out of 8?

4. How many possible arrangements are there using the shapes below?

5. How many ways can we award a 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd place among 8 cyclists?

What I Can Do

PERFORMANCE TASKS
REFLECTION JOURNAL on PROBLEM SOLVING

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, answer the problem below and write
a reflection journal entitled “Solving Problems Involving Permutations and
Combinations”. Use the following format.

I. Things Learned and Insights

What are the things that you have learned in this problem?
II. Which part of the problem shows a permutation? a combination?
III. Concept Map
Draw a diagram showing the connections of the lesson.

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IV. Difficulties
What part of the problem do you find it hard to understand?
V. Unforgettable Experiences / Activities
What part of the problem you enjoyed the most?

Problem:
In a place where Nena and her family lives, they pay a large sum of
money for house rental. It has a safe, comfortable, clean and quiet
environment but due to the pandemic, her mother lost her job and they don’t
have enough income to pay for their house rental, so her parents decided to
look for another house with affordable rental. Fortunately, they were able to
find a house as safe and comfortable as what they had but with an affordable
rental. As they move to their new home, Nena encounters a problem. She has
a collection of dolls but she cannot take them all with her. In how many ways
can Nena select 3 dolls out of 10 dolls and the remaining 7 dolls be given to
her friends? In how many ways can she arrange the 3 selected dolls in a row?

SCORING RUBRICS for PROBLEM SOVING & REFLECTION JOURNAL

CRITERI 1 2 3 4
A (Beginning) (Developing) (Proficient) (Excellent)
No understanding The learner The learner The learner
between a demonstrates shows some demonstrates a
permutation case little understanding complete
and a understanding between a understanding
Problem
combination case between permutation between a
Solving
permutation case and a permutation
case and a combination case and a
combination case. combination
case case.
Does not Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates a
demonstrate a little degree of some degree high degree of
degree of critical critical thinking of critical critical thinking
thinking in in applying, thinking in in applying,
Reflection applying, analyzing and applying, analyzing and
Journal analyzing and evaluating key analyzing and evaluating key
evaluating key course and evaluating key course and
course and concepts from course and concepts from
concepts from discussions/ concepts from discussions/
discussions/ activities. discussions/ activities.
activities. activities-
No attempt is Makes many Identifies Identifies all the
made to incorrect important important
construct connections. concepts but concepts and
Concept diagram. makes some shows
Map incorrect understanding of
connections. permutation and
combination.

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 Assessment

Directions: Answer the following. Write your answer on a separate sheet of

paper.

___1. In how many ways can the letters of the word ISLAND be linearly
arranged so that the vowels are together?
A. 240 B. 120 C. 340 D. 220

___2. How many ways can 4 boys and 4 girls be seated on a bench if the girls
sit together?
A. 2,880 B. 3,000 C. 3,480 D. 4,890

___3. How many different three – digit numbers less than 300 can be formed
from the digits 1, 2, 3 and 5 if repetition of digits is not allowed?
A. 12 B. 30 C. 10 D. 15

___4. A group of 30 members plans to elect a president, a secretary and a

treasurer. If each member is eligible for each position, in how many ways
can the group choose their officers?
A. 30,240 B. 24,360 C. 26,280 D. 25,680

___5. How many triangles can be formed by 8 points if no three of which are
collinear?
A. 55 B. 53 C. 54 D. 56

___6. A restaurant offers 4 different flavors of coffee, 3 different soup

selections and 4 different sandwiches. In how many ways can a person
select one item from each category (a coffee, a soup and a sandwich)?
A. 11 B. 18 C. 48 D. 96

___7. Using the digits 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9, how many 3-digit numbers can be
formed if repetition is not permitted?
A. 14 B. 60 C. 120 D. 625

___8. How many 7 – digit telephone numbers are possible if the first digit is
not 0 and the last two digits are 0?
A. 90,000 B. 70,000 C. 80,000 D. 60,000

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___9. What is the number of routes to get from point A to point B?
A

A. 25 B. 50 C. 86 D. 126

___10. Find the number of distinguishable permutations of the word

LEARNER.
A. 420 B. 840 C. 1,260 D. 3,000

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 Answer Key

5,040 10. C
120 9. D
34,650 336 8. B
10. B 4. A 12 1,260 7. B. 60
9. A 3. B 720 56 6. C. 48
8. B 2. C 4,845 B. 1,764 5. D. 56
7. A 2 D 10 1,108,800 A. 4,368 4. B. 24,360
6. C 1. A 60 24 455 3. A. 12
24 24 2. A. 2,880
120 6,720 Learned 1. A. 240
Have
What I Know What’s New What’s More What I Assessment

References
Books:

Government of the Philippines, Department of Education, Mathematics Learner’s

Module – Grade 10

Mathematics Reviewer Grade 10 – 2018 Edition

Websites:

https://concept_map_rubrics_ed.pdf

http://mathsanjai.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/4/1/45418515/examview_-_
chapter_7_permutations_and_combinations_pre_test.pdf

http://math3201ch2.4bnotes-working.pdf

https://www.rcampus.com/rubricsshowc.cfm?sp=yes&code=XX6WCBA&

https://study.com/academy/lesson/permutation-combination-problems-
practice.html

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