MATHEMATICS 10

Directions: Read the following and answer the activities below.

Permutation

Permutations – refers to the different possible arrangements of a set of objects.

Example 1. Given the 4-letter word READ. In how many ways can we arrange its letters, 3 at a time?
And list all three letter possible arrangement.
Given the 4-letter be filled. _ _ _.
4 choices for the first position 432 2 choices left for the third position
3 choices left for the second position
We apply the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP) and multiply: 4 ⋅3 ⋅ 2 = 24
The arrangements are:
REA RAE RED RDE RAD RDA ERA EAR ERD EDR EAD EDA
ARE AER ARD ADR AED ADE DEA DAE DAR DRA DAE DEA

Activity 1: Solve the following problem and write your answer below.
1. List all possible arrangements of the letters RED.

2. List all 2 possible arrangements of the numbers 12345.

3. In how many ways can Aling Rosa arrange 6 potted plants in a row?

4. In how many ways can 5 people arrange themselves in a row for picture taking?

5. Given the 3-letter word PEN. In how many ways can we arrange its letters, 2 at a time? And
list all two letter possible arrangement.
Distinguishable permutations – refers to the permutations of a set of objects where some of them
are alike. The number of distinguishable permutations of n objects when p are alike, q are alike, r are
n!
alike, and so on, is given by P =
p! q!r!
Example: Find the number of permutations of the letters of the word EVEN.
n=4, word EVEN-(E = 2, V = 1, N = 1)
n! 4! 4 ! ( 4 )( 3 )( 2 ) (1)
P= = = = = (4)(3) = 12 distinguishable permutations
p ! q ! r ! 2! 1 ! 1 ! 2 ! ( 2 ) (1)
EVeN ENVe VNEe

eVEN eNVe VNeE

EVNe ENeV NEVe

eVNE eNEV NeVE

EeVN VEeN NEeV

eEVN VeEN NeEV

EeNV VENe NVEe

eENV VeNE NVeE

Activity 2: Solve the following problem and write your answer below.
1. Find the number of permutations of the letters of the word STATISTICS.

2. Find the number of distinguishable permutations of the digits of the number 348 838.

3. How many distinguishable permutations are possible with all the letters of the word
ELLIPSES?
Circular permutation – 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: In how many ways can 3 people be seated around a circular table?

The arrangement 1-2-3 in (a) above is the same as 2-3-1 and 3-1-2, meaning these 3 permutations
are just one and same. Notice also that the arrangements 1-3-2, 3-2-1 and 2-1-3 are also just the
same as seen in (b).
So the circular permutations, P, of 3 objects is:
6 3! 3∙ 2!
P= = = = 2 ! = 2 0r P = (n -1)! = (3 -1)! = 2! = 2
3 3 3

Activity 3: Solve the following problem and write your answer below.
1. In how many ways can 4 people be seated around a circular table?

2. In how many ways can 5 people be seated around a circular table?

3. Find the number of different ways that a family of 6 can be seated around a circular table with
6 chairs.