This is one of the most dreaded topics that a candidate can face in the GMAT exa

m. But, there are limited patterns that are asked in GMAT and if we can master t
hem then i don't think one will have any trouble in solving these type of questi
ons on GMAT.
I just got hold of my notes and decided to share em with fellow bloggers {there
are some good questions that i will paste at the end of this post}:
1 Permutation : Permutation means arrangement of things. The word arrangement is
used, if the order of things is considered.
2. Combination: Combination means selection of things. The word selection is use
d, when the order of things has no importance.
3. Example: Suppose we have to form a number of consisting of three digits using
the digits 1,2,3,4,
To form this number the digits have to be arranged. Different numbers will get f
ormed depending upon the order in which we arrange the digits. This is an exampl
e of Permutation.
4. Now suppose that we have to make a team of 11 players out of 20 players, This
is an example of combination, because the order of players in the team will not
result in a change in the team. No matter in which order we list out the player
s the team will remain the same! For a different team to be formed at least one
player will have to be changed.
5. nPr = n!/(n-r)!
6. Note : Factorial of negative-number is not defined. The expression 3! has no
meaning.
7. Number of permutations of n-thing, taken all at a time, in which P are of one t
ype, g of them are of second-type, r of them re of third-type, and rest are all diff
erent is given by :-
(n!)/(p!*q!*r!)
8. Circular permutations
(a) If clockwise and anti clock-wise orders are different, then total number of
circular-permutations is given by (n-1)!
(b) If clock-wise and anti-clock-wise orders are taken as not different, then to
tal number of circular-permutations is given by (n-1)!/2!
Restricted Permutations
9(a) Number of permutations of n things, taken r at a time, when a particular thing
is to be always included in each arrangement:
r*( n-1) P(r-1)
9(b) Number of permutations of n things, taken r at a time, when a particular thing
is never taken:
(n-1) P(r)

10. nCr = nC(n-r) {general formula}

11. Total number of ways of selecting one or more things out of n different thin
gs
nC1 + nC2 + nC3 + ------------- + nCn = 2^n - 1
12. Total number of ways of selecting ZERO or More things out of n different thi
ngs
(nC0 + nC1 + -----------------nCn) = 2^n

13. (nC0 + nC1 + -----------------nCn) = 2^n {general formula}

14. Number of ways of selecting zero or more things from n identical things is giv
en by :- n+1
15. Number of ways of selecting one or more things from p identical things of one
type q identical things of another type, r identical things of the third type and n d
fferent things is given by :
(p+1) (q+1) (r+1)(2^n 1)
Some good questions to apply the theory
Q How many ways can 10 letters be posted in 5 post boxes, if each of the post bo
xes can take more than 10 letters?
Q How many numbers are there between 100 and 1000 such that atleast one of their
digits is 6?
Q How many ways can 4 prizes be given away to 3 boys, if each boy is eligible fo
r all the prizes?
Q How many alphabets need to be there in a language if one were to make 1 millio
n distinct 3 digit initials using the alphabets of the language?
Q How many number of times will the digit '7' be written when listing the intege
rs from 1 to 1000?
Q Badri has 9 pairs of dark Blue socks and 9 pairs of Black socks. He keeps them
all in a same bag. If he picks out three socks at random what is the probabilit
y he will get a matching pair?
Q How many words of 4 consonants and 3 vowels can be made from 12 consonants and
4 vowels, if all the letters are different?
Q If the letters of the word CHASM are rearranged to form 5 letter words such th
at none of the word repeat and the results arranged in ascending order as in a d
ictionary what is the rank of the word CHASM?
Q When four fair dice are rolled simultaneously, in how many outcomes will at le
ast one of the dice show 3?
Q There are 5 Rock songs, 6 Carnatic songs and 3 Indi pop songs. How many differ
ent albums can be formed using the above repertoire if the albums should contain
at least 1 Rock song and 1 Carnatic song?