Permutations and Combination

Permutation:- Each of the different arrangements that

can be made out of a given number of things by taking
some or all of them at a time called a permutation.
r≤n

Notation:-
The no. of permutations (or arrangements) of n
different things taken r at a time (r <=n) is denoted by
r≤n
the symbol nPr.
• For example:- Permutations of three letters,
say a, b, c taken two at a time are ab, ba, bc,
cb, ca, ac and the no. of permutations of these
three letters taken two at a time is denoted by
3
P2. i.e.
• 3P2= 3*2=6.
Example 1:- How many different numbers of four digits can be
formed with the digits 2,3,4,5,6,7, none of the digits being
repeated in any of the numbers so formed?
Solun : To form the numbers of four digits, we have to arrange
the given digits 2,3,4,5,6,7 taking four at a time. Six digits
can be arranged taken four at a time in 6P4.
Hence the required number of numbers
= 6P4= 6*5*4*3=360.
Example 2:- In how many different ways can the letter of
the word SUNDAY be arranged? How many of these
arrangements begin with S?
Solun:- There are six different letters S, U, N, D, A, Y in
the given word and these six letters can be arranged
taking all at a time in 6P6 ways.
Hence the required number of ways
= 6P6 = 6*5*4*3*2*1=720.
For the arrangements beginning with S, S is kept fixed
and we arrange the other 5 letters U,N,D,A,Y taking 5
at a time in 5P5 ways.
Hence the required number of ways
= 5P5 = 5*4*3*2*1=120.
Excerise:-
Q1. In how many other ways can letter of the word
“SIMPLETON” be arranged?
Q2. In how many ways can 7 people be arranged at a
round table so that 2 particular persons may be
together?
 Combination
Combination:- Each of the different selections (or
groups) that can be made out of a given number of
things by taking some or all of them at a time is called
a combination.
Notations:
The number of combinations (or selections) of n
different things taken r at a time (r <=n) is denoted
by the symbol nCr .Where nCr stands for
!n
n
Cr =
!r !( n − r )
For example:-
The combinations of three letters a,b,c taken two at a time are
ab, bc,ac and the no. of combinations of three letters taken two
at a time denoted by 3C2 , i.e.
!3 3.!2
3
C2 = = =3
!2!( 3 − 2 ) !2!1
The combination of three letters taken all at a time is abc and
the no. of combination is 1. i.e.
3
C3= 1.
Example 1:- How many different committees of 6
members may be formed from 7 gentlemen and 5
ladies?
Solun :- We have to select 6 members from 7+5=12
persons and this can be done in 12C6 ways.
12! 12.11.10.9.8.7.!6
C6 =
12
= = 924
6!( 12 − 6)! !6 * 6.5.4.3.2.1
Hence the required number of committees = 924.
Example 2:-A person has got 15 acquaintances of whom 10 are
relatives. In how many ways he may invite 9 guests so that 7
of them would be relatives?
Solun :- No. of relatives =10.
therefore, No. of non-relatives=15-10=5.
10
7 relatives can be selected out of 10 in C7 ways and for
each of 10C ways, 2 non-relatives can be selected out of 5 in
7
5
C2 ways. Hence the required No. of ways in which 9 guests
can be invited = 10C7 * 5C2

!10 5.4.!3
= * = 120 *10 = 1200
!7!(10 − 7) 2.1!3
Exercise:-
Q1. In an examination paper on Business Mathematics
11 questions are set. In how many different ways can
you choose 6 questions to answer? If, however,
question no. 1 is made compulsory, in how many
ways can you select to answer 6 questions in all?
Q2. A man has 6 friends. In how many ways may he
invite one or more of them to a dinner?