MATHEMATICS 10

Name: __________________________________ Date: _____________

Grade Level & Section:_____________________ Score: ____________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

PERMUTATION

Permutation is an arrangement of objects in which order is important. Each arrangement can be made
using all or some elements of the set of objects without repetition.
Illustrative Example 1:
Mrs. Imperial uses the letters M, A, T and H in different order to assign computer log-in passwords to
her 20 Online Distance Learning (ODL) students. Each letter appears only once in a password. Are there
enough passwords for Mrs. Imperial’s 20 students? How many different passwords can Mrs. Imperial
create?
Solution:
Using the tree diagram to determine the total number of passwords that Mrs. Imperial can create.

T H - MATH A H - TMAH
A M
H T - MAHT H A - TMHA
A H - MTAH M H - TAMH
M T T A
H A - MTHA H M - TAHM
A T - MHAT M A - THMA
H H
T A - MHTA A M - THAM

T H - AMTH A T - HMAT
M M
H T - AMHT T A - HMTA
M H - ATMH M T - HAMT
A T H A
H M - ATHM T M - HATM
M T - AHMT M A - HTMA
H T
T M - AHTM A M - HTAM

Here we can see that there are 24 possible arrangements/passwords out of the four letters M, A, T and
H. Therefore, there are enough passwords for Mrs. Imperial’s 20 Online Distance Learning (ODL) students.
Another way to find the permutation of the given four letter above is
4! (read as “4 factorial”) = 4 • 3 • 2 • 1 = 24.
The number of permutation of n different objects is given by n! (n factorial).
n! = n (n-1) (n-2) … (3) (2) (1)
Also, by definition: 0! = 1.
Illustrative Example 2:
Evaluate.
a. 6! = 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 • 1 = 720 Therefore, 6! = 720.
 b. 4! + 5! = (4 • 3 • 2 • 1 ) + (4 • 3 • 2 • 1 ) = 24 + 120 = 144 Therefore, 4! + 5! = 144.
6! 6•5•4•3•2•1 720 720 6!
c. 4!3!
= (4 • 3 • 2 • 1)(3 • 2 • 1)
= (24)(6)
= 144
=5 Therefore, 4!3!
= 5.

PERMUTATION OF n OBJECT TAKEN r

In general, if a set has n elements, then the number of ways of drawing r elements from the set
is denoted by nPr, or P(n,r) and this is called “ The number of permutation of n objects taken r at a
time.”
𝑛!
The number of permutations of objects taken at a time: 𝑃(𝑛, 𝑟) = (𝑛−𝑟)!
𝑛! 𝑛!
If all the objects are taken at once, 𝑃(𝑛, 𝑛), then 𝑃(𝑛, 𝑟) = (𝑛−𝑟)!
or 1
Recall that 0! = 1
Illustrative Example 3:
1. The seven high school cheerleaders are to have their pictures taken. How many different
pictures can be taken if there are to be three cheerleaders in each picture? Find the number of
permutations of 7 people, taken 3 at a time.
𝑛!
Solution: 𝑃(𝑛, 𝑟) = (𝑛−𝑟)!
7! 7! 7•6•5•4!
𝑃(7,3) = (7−3)!
= = = 210
4! 4!
Hence, there are 210 ways to arrange the cheerleaders for the picture.
2. The Mind Band have 20 songs that they perform in a concert. At the upcoming Battle of the
Bands, they will play two songs. In how many different orders could they perform two of their
songs?
Solution: We are required to find the number of permutations of 20 things taken two at
a
time, We denote this number by P(20,2).
𝑛!
𝑃(𝑛, 𝑟) = (𝑛−𝑟)!
20! 20! 20•19•18!
𝑃(7,3) = (20−2)!
= = = 380
18! 18!
Hence, there are 380 orders that they could perform two of their songs.

Learning Task 1: Answer the following:

11!
1. 12! 2. 4!5! 3. 5!3!

4.In a certain state, automobile license plates display three letters followed by four digits. How many such
plates are possible if repetition is allowed? If repetition is not allowed?
5. In how different ways can a race with six runners be completed? Assume there is no tie.
6. A girl has 5 skirts, 8 blouses, and 12 pairs of shoes. How many different skirt-blouse- shoe
outfits can she wear? Assume that each item matches all the others, so she is willing to wear
any combinations.
Learning Task 2:
A. Simplify the following:
1. P(15,3) 2. P(9,5) 3. P(10,10)
B. Solve the following problems:
4. Find the number of different arrangements of the set of the six letters THEORY, if taken two at
a time; taken four at a time?
5. There are eight finalists for the Math contest and medals will be given to the first three
winners. How many ways are there for the medal winners to be selected?
6. How many ways can 4 algebra, 3 chemistry, and 5 history books be placed on a shelf if the
books are arranged according to subject?
Reference/s:
- CITY SCHOOLS DIVISION OF DASMARIÑAS Learning Activity Sheets Mathematics 10 Quarter 3 pp. 3-6
- MATH TIME Activity SourceBook Mathematics Grade 10 pp. 13 – 16.

Prepared by:
MARY FRANCE O. IMPERIAL
Mathematics Teacher