Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
You are here : Home > Quantitative aptitude questions and answers with explanation > Permutations and Combinations > Basics
Concepts and Formulas
Basics Concepts and Formulas Basics Concepts and Formulas in Permutations and Combinations
(Permutations and Combinations)
Useful Relations
1. Fundamental Principles of Counting : Multiplication Theorem
(Permutations and Combinations)
More Concepts and Formulas
(Permutations)
If an operation can be performed in m different ways and following which a second operation
Permutations under Restrictions can be performed in n different ways, then the two operations in succession can be performed
More Concepts and Formulas in m × n different ways
(Combinations)
Combinations under Restrictions
2. Fundamental Principles of Counting : Addition Theorem
Division and Distribution of
Objects
Distributing Balls into Boxes
If an operation can be performed in m different ways and a second independent operation can
Counting Integral Solutions be performed in n different ways, either of the two operations can be performed in (m+n)
ways.
More Formulas
(Permutations and Combinations)
Geometrical Figures
(Permutations and Combinations) 3. Factorial
Solved Examples Set 1
Solved Examples Set 2 Let n be a positive integer. Then n factorial (n!) can be defined as
Solved Examples Set 3
n! = n(n1)(n2)...1
Solved Examples Set 4
Solved Examples Set 5
Examples
i. 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120
ii. 3! = 3 x 2 x 1 = 6
Special Cases
i. 0! = 1
Loading
Math
Symbols ii. 1! = 1
4. Permutations
Permutations are the different arrangements of a given number of things by taking some or all
at a time
Examples
i. All permutations (or arrangements) formed with the letters a, b, c by taking three at a
time are (abc, acb, bac, bca, cab, cba)
ii. All permutations (or arrangements) formed with the letters a, b, c by taking two at a
time are (ab, ac, ba, bc, ca, cb)
5. Combinations
Each of the different groups or selections formed by taking some or all of a number of objects
is called a combination
Examples
i. Suppose we want to select two out of three girls P, Q, R. Then, possible
combinations are PQ, QR and RP. (Note that PQ and QP represent the same
selection)
ii. Suppose we want to select three out of three girls P, Q, R. Then, only possible
combination is PQR
6. Difference between Permutations and Combinations and How to Address a Problem
Sometimes, it will be clearly stated in the problem itself whether permutation or combination is
to be used. However if it is not mentioned in the problem, we have to find out whether the
question is related to permutation or combination.
Consider a situation where we need to find out the total number of possible samples of two
objects which can be taken from three objects P,Q , R. To understand if the question is
related to permutation or combination, we need to find out if the order is important or not.
If order is important, PQ will be different from QP , PR will be different from RP and QR will be
different from RQ
If order is not important, PQ will be same as QP, PR will be same as RP and QR will be same
as RQ
Hence,
If the order is important, problem will be related to permutations.
If the order is not important, problem will be related to combinations.
For permutations, the problems can be like "What is the number of permutations the can be
made", "What is the number of arrangements that can be made", "What are the different
number of ways in which something can be arranged", etc
For combinations, the problems can be like "What is the number of combinations the can be
made", "What is the number of selections the can be made", "What are the different number
of ways in which something can be selected", etc.
Mostly problems related to word formation, number formation etc will be related to
permutations. Similarly most problems related to selection of persons, formation of
geometrical figures , distribution of items (there are exceptions for this) etc will be related to
combinations.
7. Repetition
The term repetition is very important in permutations and combinations.
Consider the same situation described above where we need to find out the total number of
possible samples of two objects which can be taken from three objects P,Q , R.
If repetition is allowed, the same object can be taken more than once to make a sample.
i.e., if repetition is allowed, PP, QQ, RR can also be considered as possible samples.
If repetition is not allowed, then PP, QQ, RR cannot be considered as possible samples
Normally repetition is not allowed unless mentioned specifically.
8. pq and qp are two different permutations ,but they represent the same combination.
9. Number of permutations of n distinct things taking r at a time
Number of permutations of n distinct things taking r at a time can be given by
nP
r =
If r > n, nPr = 0
Special Case: nP0 = 1
nP nP
r is also denoted by P(n,r). r has importance outside combinatorics as well where it is
known as the falling factorial and denoted by (n)r or nr
Examples
i. 8P
2 = 8 x 7 = 56
ii. 5P
4= 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 = 120
10. Number of permutations of n distinct things taking all at a time
Number of permutations of n distinct things taking them all at a time = nPn = n!
11. Number of Combinations of n distinct things taking r at a time
Number of combinations of n distinct things taking r at a time ( nCr) can be given by
nC =
r
If r > n, nCr = 0
Special Case: nC0 = 1
nC is also denoted by C(n,r). nC occurs in many other mathematical contexts as well where
r r
it is known as binomial coefficient and denoted by
Examples
ii. 5C = = 5
4
Comments(4) Newest
foram patel 27 Jul 2013 11:34 AM
nice explain
poojq 11 Jul 2013 4:42 AM
its gd
Yadhi Divine 21 May 2013 11:02 AM
this is good explaination of wt is wt.
prabhata kumar jena 04 May 2013 2:58 PM
hi i want to be in it.............
Add a new comment ...
Sign in (optional)
Name Email
Please answer the simple math question given below
8 + 0 =
Submit
Home | careerbless@gmail.com | Copyright | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 20122013 www.careerbless.com. All rights reserved.