PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS

Factorial (symbol: !)
n-factorial refers to the product of the positive integers n and all the positive integers less than n .
n !=n ( n−1 )( n−2 ) … 3× 2× 1
Example:
1 !=1
2 !=2×1=2
3 !=3× 2× 1=6
4 !=4 ×3 × 2× 1=24
5 !=5× 4 × 3 ×2 ×1=120
Take note: 0 !=1

Permutation
Permutation refers to the different possible arrangements of a set of objects. The number of permutations
of n things taken at a r at a time is given by the formula:
n!
nPr=
( n−r ) !
Where n=total number of objects
r =number of objects taken at a time
Examples:
1. 5 P2 2. 7 P3

Solution Solution
n=5 r =2 n=7 r =3
5! 5! 5 × 4 × 3× 2× 1 7! 7 ! 7 ×6 ×5 × 4 × 3× 2× 1
5 P 2= = = =20 7 P 3= = = =210
(5−2 ) ! 3! 3 ×2 ×1 ( 7−3 ) ! 4 ! 4 ×3 ×2 ×1

3. In how many ways can 6 children be seated 4. Three beauty awards: Bb. Pilipinas International, Bb.
in a row of six chairs? Pilipinas World and Bb. Pilipinas Universe will be
given to 13 finalists. How many arrangements of
Solution: n=6 r =6 winners are there?

6! 6 ! 6 ×5 × 4 ×3 ×2 ×1 Solution: n=13 r =3
6 P6= = =
( 6−6 ) ! 0 ! 1
P =720 13 ! 13! 13 ×12 ×11× … ×3 ×2 ×1
6 6 13 P3 = = =
( 13−3 ) ! 10! 10× 9 ×8 × … ×3 ×2 ×1
Therefore, there are 720 ways of arranging 6 13 P3 =1716
children in a row of 6 chairs. Therefore, there are 1716 ways of arranging the winners.

Distinguishable Permutation
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 alike, and so on,
n!
Formula is, P=
p!q!r !…
Example:
1. How many ways can you arrange the letters in 2. How many different signals, each consisting of 8
the word JOLLIBEE? lighted colored bulbs arranged vertically, can be
formed from a set of 4 blue bulbs, 3 red bulbs,
Solution: and 2 yellow bulbs?
n=8 , L=2 , E=2
8! Solution:
P= n=4 +3+2=9
2 ! 2!
B=4 R=3 Y =2
8 ×7 × 6 ×5 × 4 ×3 × 2×1
P= 9!
2 ×1 ×2 ×1 P=
4 ! 3 ! 2!
P=10080
9 × 8× 7 ×6 ×5 × 4 × 3× 2× 1
P=
4 × 3 ×2 ×1 ×3 ×2 ×1 ×2 ×1
 P=1260
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
1. In how many ways can 6 guests be seated in a 2. In how many ways can 7 different color beads
round table? be arranged in a bracelet?

Solution: Solution:
n=6 n=7
P= ( 6−1 ) ! P= (7−1 ) !
P=5 ! P=6!
P=5 × 4 × 3× 2× 1 P=6× 5 ×4 ×3 ×2 ×1
P=120 P=720

Combination
– 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
n!
nCr=
( n−r ) ! r !

Examples:
1. 6 C3 2. 10 C7

Solution Solution
n=6 r =3 n=10 r =7
6! 6! 10 ! 10 !
6 C3 = = 10 C 7= =
( 6−3 ) ! 3 ! 3! 3 ! ( 10−7 ) ! 7 ! 3 ! 7 !

6 ×5 × 4 ×3 ×2 ×1 10× 9 ×8 ×7 × 6 ×5 × 4 ×3 × 2× 1
¿ =20 ¿ =120
3 ×2 ×1 ×3 × 2× 1 3 ×2 ×1 ×7 × 6× 5 ×4 ×3 ×2 ×1

3. A club has 7 members. It has to send a 4. At the library, Ina found 6 books of interest, but he
delegation of 4 members to represent them can only borrow 4 books. How many possible
at a particular event. Find the number of selections can he make?
possible delegations.
Solution
Solution n=6 r =4
n=7 r =4 6! 6!
7! 7! 6 C 4= =
( 6−4 ) ! 4 ! 2! 4!
7 C 3= =
( 7−4 ) ! 4 ! 3 ! 4 !
6 ×5 × 4 ×3 ×2 ×1
7 ×6 ×5 × 4 ×3 × 2× 1 ¿ =15
¿ =35 2× 1× 4 × 3 ×2 ×1
4 ×3 ×2 ×1 ×3 ×2 ×1

Difference between Permutation and Combination

Permutation Combination
Order of people/object matters Order of people/object does not matter
Denoted by nPr Denoted by nCr
Represents arrangement Represents grouping/selection
Keywords: Arrangements, arrange, schedule, order Keywords: select, choose, group
Examples:
 Any type of race (w/ rank)  Selection of members
 Playlist/ order on a shelf  Councilors/Senators of the government
 Student gov’t (P, VP, S, T)  Handshakes or high fives with classmates/teams
 SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING
MATERIAL IN PERMUTATION
AND COMBINATION

Prepared by:

BECKY MAY I. SAJO LURANE GRACE S. UBANAN

Teacher I Teacher I

Validated by:

VIRGIE C. FAILANZA RIZALINA G. BARUC

Teacher III Master Teacher I

Noted:

KRISTIAN FELIMON A. SUMOGAT

Head Teacher III