Fundamental

Counting Principle and

the Factorial Notation
 
 How will you define the value of ? Why?

 How can you identify whether a situation involves the use

of the fundamental counting principle?
 1 Fundamental Counting Principle
a mathematical way used to find the number of possible outcomes of an
experiment

 
Example:

If we are looking for the number of two-digit numbers using the digits
3, 4, 5, and 6 when repetition of digits is not allowed, we can multiply
the total number of digits (which is the total number of choices for the
tens digit) to the total number of digits minus 1 (which is the total
number of choices for the ones digit). Therefore, there are two-digit
numbers that can be formed.
  
Factorial Notation
2 the notation , where and

 
Example:
Evaluate .

To evaluate , multiply the natural numbers in decreasing

order starting from .
 

 
Example 1: Evaluate .
 
Solution:
 

1. Evaluate by multiplying the natural numbers in

decreasing order starting from .
 
2. Evaluate by multiplying the natural numbers in decreasing
 

order starting from .

 

 
3. Multiply and .
 

 
Thus, is equal to .
Example 2: How many -digit numbers can be formed using
 

the digits and if repetition of digits is not allowed?

Example 2: How many -digit numbers can be formed using
 

the digits and if repetition of digits is not allowed?

Solution:
 

1. Identify the number of ways we can choose the digits in

each place value starting from the highest.
 
For the thousands place, there are choices since cannot
be used in the thousands place.
For the hundreds place, there are also choices since one digit
 

is already used in the thousands place but the number 0 can

now be used in the hundreds place.
 
For the tens and ones places, there are 4 and 3 choices,
respectively.
 

Thousands Hundreds Tens Units

 

2. Apply the fundamental counting principle by multiplying

the number of choices.
 

Thus, there are -digit numbers that can be formed.

Individual Practice:
 

1. Evaluate .

2. How many -digit even numbers can be formed using the

digits and if repetition of digits is allowed?
Group Practice: To be done in groups of five
 

There are seats in a car, in front and at the back. In how

many ways can you arrange persons if only two of them
know how to drive and the other two insist to sit at the back?
 Fundamental Counting Principle
1 a mathematical way used to find the number of possible outcomes of an
experiment

 
Factorial Notation
2 the notation , where and
 How do you evaluate a factorial notation?

 What are some real-life uses of the fundamental counting

principle?

 How does the fundamental counting principle and factorial

notation relate to permutation?