1

Combinations

Def: - The different groups or selections which can be made by taking some or all
at a time from a number of things are called combinations. Thus in combinations
we are only concerned with the number of things each group contains irrespective
of the order.
For examples the combinations which can be made by taking the letters a, b, c two
at a time are 3 in number namely, ab, bc, ca
The number of combinations of n dissimilar things taken r at a time denoted
n n!
by nCr or C(n,r) and is given by cr =
r!( n −r )!
Proof:
Let there are n objects and let us denote the number of combinations of n
objects taking r at a time as n c r . Therefore every combination contains r objects
and these r objects can be arranged in r! ways, which gives us the total number of
permutations of n objects taking r at a time.
Hence n p r = r! n c r
n
p
⇒ n cr = r
r!
n!
⇒ n cr =
r!( n −r )!

n n n
Note: Relation between p r and c r is p r = r! n c r

Restricted combinations
1) The number of combinations of n dissimilar thing taken r at a time when p
particular things always
n −p
occur = C r −p

2) The number of combinations of n dissimilar things taken r at a time when p

particular things never occur = n −p C r

n
Properties of cr :
n
1)
n
cr = n
c n −r = n −1 c r −1
r
Proof:
n! n( n −1)! n
n
cr = = = n −1 c r −1
r!(n − r )! r ( r −1)![( n −1) − ( r −1)]! r
3) If c x = c y then either x = y or x + y = n
n n

Proof:
Case (i) given c x = c y
n n

⇒x=y
Case (ii) given
n
cx = n c y
⇒n c x =n cn −y ⇒ x = n − y ⇒ x + y = n

4) c r + n c r −1 = n +1 c r
n

Proof: we have
 2
n! n!
n
C r + n C r −1 = +
r!( n − r )! ( r − 1)!( n − r + 1)!
n! n!
= +
r.( r − 1)!( n − 1)! ( r − 1)!( n − r + 1) .( n − r )!
n! 1 1 
= +
( r − 1)!( n − r )!  r n − r + 1


n! n − r + 1+ r 
=
( r − 1)!( n − r )!  r ( n − r + 1) 
n! n+1
= .
( r − 1)!( n − r )! r ( n − r + 1)
=
( n + 1) n!
r!( n − r + 1)!
= n +1C r
Hencen C r + n C r −1 = n +1C r

n
pr n( n −1)( n − 2 )........ ( n − r + 1)
5) n
Cr = =
r! r!
n! n!
6) Cn = = =1
n

n!( n −n!) n!0!

n! n!
7)
n
C0 = = =1
0!( n − 0!) n!0!
n n
p (n, r )
8) ∑c (n, r ) = ∑ = 2 n −1
r =1 r =1 r!
9) Number of divisors or factors of a given number n>1, which can be expressed
k k k
as p1 1 . p2 2 .......... pr r where p1 , p 2 ,......... , p r are distinct primes and
k1 , k 2 ,......... , k r are positive integers, are (k1 +1)( k 2 +1)......... (k r +1) (including
1and n).
10) Number of selections from n objects, taking at least one is n
c1 + n c 2 + n c3 +
………. + n c n = 2 n − 1
Ex: There are 15 bulbs in a room. Each one of them can operated
independently. The number of ways in which the room can be lightened is 15 c1 +
15
c 2 + 15 c3 +………. + 15 c15 = 215 −1
11) The number selection of r objects out of n identical objects is 1.
12) The number of selection of none or more objects from n identical
objects is equal to n+1.
13) Number of ways of dividing m different things into 3 sets consisting a, b, c
things such that a, b, c are distinct and a + b +c=m is
m −a m!
m
ca c b m −a −b c c =
a!b!c!
14) Number of ways of distributing m different things among three persons such
m!
that each person gets a, b, c things is 3!
a!b!c!
15) Number of ways dividing 3m different things into three groups having m
m!
things in each group is
( m!) 3 3!
16) Number of ways distributing 3m different things to three persons having m
m!
things is
( m!) 3
17) If there are n points in the plane then the number of line segments can be
drawn is n c 2
 3
18) If there are n points out of which m are collinear then the number of line
1
segments can be drawn is n c 2 −m c 2 +1 = (n − m)( n + m −1)
2
19) If there are n points in the plane then the number of triangles can be drawn is
n
c3
20) If there are n points out of which m are collinear then the number of triangles
can be drawn is n c3 −m c3
21) Number of diagonals in a regular polygon having n sides is n c 2 − n .
Ex: Number of diagonals in a regular decagon is 10 c 2 −10 .
Problems:
1. Compute the following
12 9 7 6
i) c3 ii) 15 c12 iii) 9 c 4 + c 5 iv) c 3 + 6 c 4 + c3
5
2. Prove that ∑r =1
5
c r = 31

3. Evaluate 25 c 22 - 24 c 21
4. If 5 c3r = 15 c r +3 , find r
5. If 18
c r = 18 c r + 2 , find r c5
6. Determine n, if c3 : c3 =11:1.
2n n

7. If n c8 = n c 6 , determine n and hence find n

c2
8. Determine n, if c 6 : c 3 =33 : 4.
n n −3

9. Prove that n c r ×r c s = n c s ×n −s c r −s
10. If n −1 c r :n c r :n +1 c r = 6 : 9 : 13 , find n and r
5
11. Find the value of the expression
47
c 4 + ∑ 52 − j c3
j =1

12. How many diagonals does a polygon have?[ n c 2 − n]

13. Find the number of sides of a polygon having 44 diagonals.[Ans:11]
14. In how many ways three balls can be selected from a bag containing 10 balls?
[ 10 c3 ]
15. In how many ways two black and three white balls are selected from a bag
containing 10black and 7 white balls? [ 10 c 2 7 c3 ]
16. A delegation of 6 members is to be sent abroad out of 12 members. In how
many ways can the selection be made so that i) a particular person always
included [ 11 c5 ] ii) a particular person
11
never included[ c 6 ]
17. A man has six friends. In how many ways can he invite two or more friends to
a dinner party?[Ans:57]
18. In how many ways can a student choose 5 courses out of the courses
c1 , c 2 ,......... , c 9 if c1 , c 2 are compulsory and c 6 , c8 can not be taken together?
19. In a class there are 20 students. How many Shake hands are available if they
shake hand each other?[ 20 c 2 ]
20. Find the number of triangles which can be formed with 20 points in which no
two points are collinear?[ 20 c3 ]
21. There are 15 points in a plane, no three points are collinear. Find the number
of triangles formed by joining them. [ 15 c3 ]
22. How many lines can be drawn through 21 points on a circle?[ 21 c 2 ]
23. There are ten points on a plane, from which four are collinear. No three of
remaining six points are collinear. How many different straight lines and
triangles can be formed by joining these points?[Ans: 10 c 2 − 4 c 2 +1, 10 c3 −4 c3 ]
 4
24. To fill 12 vacancies there are 25 candidates of which 5 are from S.C. If three
of the vacancies are reserved for scheduled caste, find the number of ways in
which the selections can be made. [Ans: 20 c9 5 c3 ]
25. On a New Year day every student of a class sends a card to every other
student. If the post man delivers 600 cards. How many students are there in
the class?[Ans:25]
26. There are n stations on a railway line. The number of kinds of tickets printed
(no return tickets) is 105. Find the number of stations.[Ans:15]
27. In how many ways a cricket team containing 6 batsmen and 5 bowlers can be
selected from 10 batsmen and 12 bowlers?[ 10 c 6 12 c5 ]
28. How many words can be formed out of ten consonants and 4 vowels, such
that each contains three consonants and two vowels?[ 10 c3 4 c 2 5!]
29. How many words each of three vowels and two consonants can be formed
from the letters of the word INVOLUE? [ 4 c3 3 c 2 5!]
30. A committee of 7 has to be formed from 9 boys and 4 girls. In how many ways
can this be done when the committee consists of i) exactly 3 girls[Ans:
9
c 4 4 c3 ]
ii) at least three girls.[ 9 c 4 4 c3 + 9 c3 4 c 4 ]
31. A group consists of 4 girls and 7 boys. In how many ways can a team of
5 members be selected if the team has i) no girls ii) at least one boy iii) at
least one boy and one girl iv) at least three girls.
32. In how many ways four cards selected from the pack of 52 cards? [ 52 c 4 ]
33. How many factors do 210 have?[16(including 1) and 15(excluding 1)]
34. How many factors does 1155 have that are divisible by 3?[Ans:8]
35. Find the number of divisors of 21600.[71(excluding 1)]
36. In an examination minimum is to be scored in each of the five subjects for a
pass. In how many ways can a student fail?[Ans:31]
37. In how many number of ways 4 things are distributed equally among two
4!
persons. [ ]
( 2!) 2
38. In how many ways 12 different things can be divided in three sets each
12 !
having four things? [Ans: ]
( 4!) 3 3!
39. In how many ways 12 different things can be distributed equally among three
12 !
persons?[Ans: ]
( 4!) 3
40. How many different words of 4 letters can be made by using the letters of the
word EXAMINATION?[Ans:2454]
41. How many different words of 4 letters can be made by using the letters of the
word BOOKLET?[
42. How many different 5 lettered words can be made by using the letters of the
word INDEPENDENT?[Ans:72]
43. From 5 apples, 4 oranges and 3 mangos how many selections of fruits can be
made?[Ans:119]
44. Find the number of different sums that can be formed with one rupee, one
half rupee and one quarter rupee coin.[Ans:7]
45. There are 5 questions in a question paper. In how many ways can boy solve
one or more questions?[Ans:31]

Important formulas:
 5
1. The number of arrangements taking not more than q objects from n
objects, provided every object can be used any number of times is given by
q

∑n
r =1
r
.

n 
2. Number of integers from 1 to n which are divisible by k is   , where []
k 
denotes the greatest integral function.
3. The total number of selections of taking at least one out of
p1 + p 2 +......... + p n objects where p1 are alike of one kind, p 2 are alike of
another kind and so on …….. p n are alike of another kind is equal to
[( p1 +1)( p 2 +1)......... ( p n +1)] −1
4. The total number of selections taking of at least one out of
p1 + p 2 + ......... + p n + s objects where p1 are alike of one kind, p 2 are alike of
another kind and so on …….. p n are alike of another kind and s are distinct are
equal to {[( p1 +1)( p 2 +1)......... ( p n +1)] 2 s } −1
n
5. The greatest value of n c r is c k where
n
k= if n ∈2m, m ∈ N
2
n −1 n +1
= or if n ∈2m +1∀m ∈ N
2 2
2
n
 n( n + 1) 
6. Number of rectangles of any size in a square of size n × n = ∑ r 3 =  
r =1  2 
7. Number of squares of any size in a square of size
n
n(n + 1)( 2n + 1)
n × n = ∑r 2 =
r =1 6
8. Number of squares of any size in a rectangle of size
n
m × n = ∑ (m − r + 1)( n − r + 1)
r =1
9. If m points of one straight line are joined to n points on the another
straight line, then the number of points of intersections of the line segment thus
mn ( m −1)( n −1)
obtained = c 2 c 2 = .
m n
4
10. Number of rectangles formed on a chess board is 9 c 2 9 c 2 .
11. Number of rectangles of any size in a rectangle of size
mn
m × n = (n ≤ m) =m +1 c 2 n +1 c 2 = ( m +1)( n +1)
4
12. The total number of ways of dividing n identical objects into r groups if
blank groups are allowed is n +r −1 c r −1 .
13. The total number of ways of dividing n identical objects into r groups if
blank groups are not allowed is n −1 c r −1 .
n  n   n   n   n 
14. The exponent of k in n! is E k ( n!) =   +  2  +  3  +  4  + ........ p  , where
k  k  k  k  k 
kp <n
15. The sum of the digits in unit’s place of the numbers formed by n nonzero
distinct digits is
(sum of the digits) (n-1)!
16. The sum of the numbers formed by n nonzero distinct digits is (sum of the
10 n −1 
digits) (n-1)!  

 9 
 6
17. Derangements: If n items are arranged in a row, then the number of
ways in which they can be rearranged so that no one of them occupies the place
 1 1 1 1
assigned to it is n! 1 − + − +.......... ... + ( −1)
n

 1! 2! 3! n!


Exercise:
In how many ways can 5 beads out 7 different beads be strung into a string?
2. A person has 12 friends, out of them 8 are his relatives. In how
many ways can he invite his 7 friends so as to include his 5 relatives?
(a) 8C3 x 4C2 (b) 12C7 (c) 12C5 x 4C3 (d) none of these
3.It is essential for a student to pass in 5 different subjects of an examination then
the no. of method so that
he may failure
(a) 31 (b) 32 (c) 10
(d) 15
The number of ways of dividing 20 persons into 10 couples is

(a) (b)20C10 (c) (d) none

of these
5. The number of words by taking 4 letters out of the letters of the
word ‘COURTESY’, when T and S are always included are
(a) 120 (b) 720 (c)
360 (d) none of these
6. The number of ways to put five letters in five envelopes when
one letter is kept in right envelope and four letters in wrong envelopes are–
(a) 40 (b) 45 (c) 30
(d) 70

7. is equal to
(a) C4
51
(b) 52
C4 (c) C4
53
(d) none
of these
8. A candidate is required to answer 6 out of 10 questions which are divided into
two groups each containing 5 questions and he is not permitted to attempt more
than 4 from each group. The number of ways in which he can make up his choice
is
(a) 100 (b) 200 (c) 300 (d) 400
9. Out of 10 white, 9 black and 7 red balls, the number of ways in which selection of
one or more balls can be made, is
(a) 881 (b) 891 (c) 879
(d) 892
10. The number of diagonals in an octagon are
(a) 28 (b) 48 (c) 20
(d) none of these

Q26.Out of 10 given points 6 are in a straight line. The number of the triangles
formed by joining any three of them is
(a) 100 (b) 150 (c) 120
(d) none of these

Q27.In how many ways the letters AAAAA, BBB, CCC, D, EE, F can be arranged in a
row when the letter C occur at different places?
 7

(a) (b) (c)

(d) none of these

Q28.A is a set containing n elements. A subset P of A is chosen. The set A is

reconstructed by replacing the elements of P. A subset Q of A is again chosen. The
number of ways of chosen P and Q so that P Ç Q = f is
(a) 22n – 2nCn (b) 2n (c) 2n – 1
(d) 3 n

Q29.A parallelogram is cut by two sets of m lines parallel to the sides, the number
of parallelograms thus formed is

(a) (b) (c)

(d)

Q30.Along a railway line there are 20 stations. The number of different tickets
required in order so that it may be possible to travel from every station to every
station is
(a) 380 (b) 225 (c) 196
(d) 105

Q31.The number of ordered triplets of positive integers which are solutions of the
equation x + y + z = 100 is
(a) 5081 (b) 6005 (c) 4851
(d) none of these

Q32.The number of numbers less than 1000 that can be formed out of the digits 0,
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, no digit being repeated, is
(a) 130 (b) 131 (c) 156
(d) none of these

Q33.A variable name in certain computer language must be either a alphabet or

alphabet followed by a decimal digit. Total number of different variable names that
can exist in that language is equal to
(a) 280 (b) 290 (c) 286
(d) 296

Q34.The total number of ways of selecting 10 balls out of an unlimited number of

identical white, red and blue balls is equal to
(a) 12C2 (b) 12C3 (c) 10
C2
(d) 10
C3

Q35.Total number of ways in which 15 identical blankets can be distributed among

4 persons so that each of them get atleast two blankets equal to
(a) 10C3 (b) 9C3 (c) 11
C3
(d) none of these

Q36.The number of ways in which three distinct numbers in AP can be selected

from the set {1, 2, 3, …, 24}, is equal to
(a) 66 (b) 132 (c) 198
(d) none of these
 8

Q37.The number of ways of distributing 8 identical balls in 3 distinct boxes so that

none of the boxes is empty is:
(a) 5 (b) 21 (c) 38
(d) 8
C3

Q38.The number of ways in which 6 men and 5 women can dine at a round table if
no two women are to sit together is given by:
(a) 6! x 5! (b) 30 (c) 5! x 4!
(d) 7! x 5!

Q39.If nCr denotes the number of combinations of n things taken r at a time, then
the expression nCr + 1 + nCr – 1 + 2 x nCr equals:
(a) n + 2Cr (b) n + 2Cr + 1 (c) n + 1
Cr
(d) n+1
Cr + 1

Q40.If the letters of the word SACHIN are arranged in all possible ways and these
are written out as in dictionary, then the word SACHIN appears at serial number
(a) 600 (b) 601 (c) 602
(d) 603

Q26.The number of numbers is there between 100 and 1000 in which all the digits
are distinct is
(a) 648 (b) 548 (c)
448 (d) none of these

Q27.The number of arrangements of the letters of the word ‘CALCUTTA’ is

(a) 5040 (b) 2550
(c) 40320 (d) 10080

Q28. How many different words can be formed with the letters of the word
“PATLIPUTRA” without changing the position of the vowels and consonants?
(a) 2160 (b) 180
(c) 720 (d) none of these

Q29. How many different words ending and beginning with a consonant can be
formed with the letters of the word ‘EQUATION’?
(a) 720 (b) 4320
(c) 1440 (d) none of
these

Q30.The number of 4 digit numbers divisible by 5 which can be formed by using the
digits 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 is
(a) 36 (b) 42
(c) 48 (d) none of
these

Q31.The number of ways in which 5 biscuits can be distributed among two children
is
(a) 32 (b) 31
(c) 30 (d) none of
these

Q32.How many five-letter words containing 3 vowels and 2 consonants can be

 9
formed using the letters of the word “EQUATION” so that the two consonants occur
together?
(a) 1380 (b) 1420
(c) 1440 (d) none

Q33.If the letters of the word ‘RACHIT’ are arranged in all possible ways and these
words are written out as in a dictionary, then the rank of this word is
(a) 365 (b) 702
(c) 481 (d) none of these

Q34.On the occasion of Dipawali festival each student of a class sends greeting
cards to the others. If there are 20 students in the class, then the total number of
greeting cards exchanged by the students is
(a) 20
C2 (b) 2 . 20C2
(c) 2 . 20P2 (d) none of these

Q35.The sum of the digits in the unit place of all the numbers formed with the help
of 3, 4, 5, 6 taken all at a time is
(a) 18 (b) 108
(c) 432 (d) 144

Q36.How many six digits numbers can be formed in decimal system in which every
succeeding digit is greater than its preceding digit
(a) 9
P6 (b) 10
P6
(c) 9
P3 (d) none of these

Q37.How many ways are there to arrange the letters in the work GARDEN with the
vowels in alphabetical order?
(a) 120 (b) 240
(c) 360 (d) 480

Q38.A five-digit numbers divisible by 3 is to be formed using the numerals 0, 1, 2,

3, 4 and 5, without repetition. The total number of ways this can be done is
(a) 216 (b) 240
(c) 600 (d) 3125

Q39.How many different nine digit numbers can be formed from the number
223355888 by rearranging its digits so that the odd digits occupy even positions?
(a) 16(b) 36 (c) 60
(d) 180

Q40.The number of arrangements of the letters of the word BANANA in which the
two N’s do not appear adjacently is
(a) 40(b) 60 (c) 80
(d) 100
10