Mathematics 10

Quarter 3 – Lesson 5
SOLVING PROBLEMS INVOLVING COMBINATIONS

Name : Date :

Grade & Section : Score :

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
a) Identify situations that describe combination.
b) Differentiate permutation from combination of n objects taken r at a
time.
c) Solve problems involving combinations.

CONCEPT

Combinations
It is the number of ways of selecting from a set when the order is not
important.

The number of combinations of n objects taken r at a time is given by:

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Study the illustrative examples below. Take note of the process on how to
solve word problems involving combinations.

EXAMPLE 1. In how many ways can a committee consisting of 4 members

be formed from 8 people?

What is asked? COMBINATION

The arrangement is not important in the
problem since we are only forming a
committee.
 What are the given facts? n=8
r=4
What operation or formula
will you use?
( SOLVE )

What is the answer? There are 70 ways that a committee can be

formed consisting of 4 members out of 5
people.

EXAMPLE 2. A soloist is auditioning for a musical play. If she is required to

sing any three of the 7 prepared songs, in how many ways can she make her
choice?

What is asked? COMBINATION

The arrangement is not important in the
problem since the soloist will only have to
make a choice.
What are the given facts? n=7
r=3
What operation or formula
will you use?
( SOLVE )

What is the answer? There are 35 ways a soloist can choose any
3 of the 7 songs.
EXAMPLE 3. How many triangles can be formed from 9 given points with
no three of which are collinear?

What is asked? COMBINATION

The arrangement is not important in the
problem since in Geometry we can name a
triangle using its vertices in any order.
What are the given facts? n=9
r=3
What operation or formula
will you use?
( SOLVE )

What is the answer? There are 84 triangles that can be formed

from 9 given points with no three of which
are collinear.

EXAMPLE 4. From 7 Biology books and 6 Chemistry books, in how many

ways can one select 2 Biology and 2 Chemistry books to buy if all the said
books are equally necessary?

What is asked? COMBINATION

The arrangement is not important in the
problem since it only involves selection.
What are the given facts? n1 = 7 and n2 = 6
r1 = 2 and r2 = 2
What operation or formula
will you use?
( SOLVE )
 By Fundamental Counting Principle:

What is the answer? There are 315 ways can one select 2 Biology
and 2 Chemistry books to buy.

EXAMPLE 5. At Enzo’s Pizza Parlor, there are seven different toppings,

where a customer can order any number of these toppings. If you dine at the
said pizza parlor, with how many possible toppings can you actually order
your pizza?

What is asked? COMBINATION

The arrangement is not important in the
problem since the customer can order any
number of these toppings.
What are the given facts? n=7
r=1,r=2,r=3,r=4,
r=5,r=6,r=7
What operation or formula
will you use? C ( 7 , 0 ) = 1
( SOLVE ) C ( 7 , 1 ) = 7
C ( 7 , 2 ) = 21
C ( 7 , 3 ) = 35
C ( 7 , 4 ) = 35
C ( 7 , 5 ) = 21
C ( 7 , 6 ) = 7
C ( 7 , 7 ) = 1
 By Addition Rule:
1 + 7 + 21 + 35 + 35 + 21 + 7 + 1
= 128

What is the answer? There are 128 ways a customer can order
any number of these toppings.

EXERCISES
Following the illustrative examples above, answer the following problems.
Show complete and organized solution.

1) If there are 12 teams in a basketball tournament and each team must

play every other team in the eliminations, how many elimination games
will there be? Answer: 66 eliminations

2) How many different sets of 5 cards each can be formed from a standard
deck of 52 cards? Answer: 2, 598, 960 sets

3) In a 10 – item Mathematics problem – solving test, how many ways can

you select 5 problems to solve? Answer: 252 ways

4) If there are 7 distinct points on a plane with no three of which are

collinear, how many different polygons can be possibly formed?
Answer: 99 polygons

5) How many ways can you select the 5 questions out of 10 questions if
you are required to answer question number 10?
Answer: 126 ways

MORE EXERCISES
Answer the following problems. Show complete and organized solution.

1) From a population of 50 households, in how many ways can a

researcher select a sample with a size of 10?

2) Mrs. Rivera’s business is gown rental and sale. She decided one day
that she would display her 10 newest gowns in her shop’s window to
attract customers. If she only had 5 mannequins and planned to
change the set of gowns every 2 days, how many days will have to pass
before she runs out of a new set to display?
3) In a gathering, the host makes sure that each guest shakes hands
with everyone else. If there are 25 guests, how many handshakes will
be done?

4) In how many ways can a committee of 5 be formed from 5 juniors and

7 seniors if the committee must have 3 seniors?

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

REFLECTION
Let us check your level of understanding for this lesson. Accomplish the
Lesson Exit Ticket.
3 – Things I Learned Today
2 – Things I found Interesting
1 – Question I Still Have

REFERENCES
Callanta et. al. (2015). Mathematics Grade 10 Learner’s Module (First
Edition). Pasig City, Philippines: Rex Bookstore

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