Permutation and Combination: Learn

Important Concepts - Embibe

https://www.embibe.com/exams/permutation-and-combination/

Written By Prince
Last Modified 11-10-2022

Permutation and Combination:

Definition, Formula, Solved Questions
Permutation and Combination: Permutation and
Combination are one of the most important concepts in
Mathematics. It is used in the practical applications in
science, engineering and research, and many other
fields. The difference between permutation and
combination can be defined as; when a set of data is
selected from a certain group, it is known as
permutation; while the order in which the data is
arranged is known as combination. Thus, we can say
that permutation is an ordered combination.

Grouping of data and its interpretation is possible with

the help of permutation and combination. Mathematics
students should be well versed in the concepts because
it finds applications in all advanced research and data
analysis. This article provides insight on the
permutation and combination questions, solutions,
permutation and combination formulas and more.

Permutation and Combination Definition

Here we have given the mathematical definition of
permutation and combination:
What is Permutation?

A permutation is an arrangement in a definite order of

several objects taken, some or all at a time, with
permutations, every tiny detail matters. It means the
order in which elements are arranged is significant.

There are two types of permutations:

Repetition is Allowed: For the number lock example

provided above, it could be “2-2-2”.
No Repetition Allowed: For example, the first three
people in a race. You can’t be first and second at the
same time.

What is Combination?

The combination is a way of selecting elements from a

set so that the order of selection doesn’t matter. With
the combination, only choosing elements matters. It
means the order in which elements are chosen is not
essential.

There are two types of combinations:

Repetition is Allowed: For example, coins in your

pocket (2, 5, 5, 10, 10)
No Repetition Allowed: For example, lottery
numbers (2, 14, 18, 25, 30, 38)
Permutation and Combination Formula

There are many formulas that are used to solve

permutation and combination problems. We have
provided the complete permutation formula list here:

When repetition is not allowed: P is a permutation

or arrangement of r things from a set of n things
without replacement.
When repetition is allowed: P is a permutation or
arrangement of r things from a set of n things when
duplication is allowed.

Derivation of Permutation Formula: Let us assume

that there are r boxes, and each of them can hold one
thing. There will be as many permutations as there are
ways of filling in r vacant boxes by n objects.

No. of ways the first box can be filled: n

No. of ways the second box can be filled: (n – 1)

No. of ways the third box can be filled: (n – 2)

No. of ways the fourth box can be filled: (n – 3)

No. of ways rth box can be filled: [n – (r – 1)]

 The number of permutations of n different objects
taken r at a time, where 0 < r ≤ n and the objects do
not repeat is: n(n – 1)(n – 2)(n – 3) . . . (n – r + 1)

We have provided the complete combination formula

list here:

When repetition is not allowed: C is a combination

of n distinct things taking r at a time (order is not
important).
When repetition is allowed: C is a combination of n
distinct things taking r at a time (order is not
important) with repetition. We define C as:

Derivation of Combination Formula:

Let us assume that there are r boxes, and each of them

can hold one thing.

No. of ways to select the first object from n distinct

objects: n
No. of ways to select the second object from (n-
1) distinct objects: (n-1)
No. of ways to select the third object from (n-
2) distinct objects: (n-2)
No. of ways to select rth object from [n-(r-1)] distinct
objects: [n-(r-1)]
Completing the selection of r things from the original
set of n things creates an ordered subset of r elements.
∴ The number of ways to make a selection of r elements
of the original set of n elements is: n (n – 1) (n – (n-3) . .
. (n – (r – 1)) or n (n – 1) (n – 2) … (n – r + 1). 

Let us consider the ordered subset of r elements

and all their permutations. The total number of
permutations of this subset equals r! because r objects
in every combination can be rearranged in r! ways.

Hence, the total number of permutations of n different

things taken r at a time is (nCr×r!). It is nothing but nPr.

Download – Permutation and Combination Formula

PDF

We can summarize the permutation combination

formula in the table below:

Difference Between Permutation and

Combination

We have provided the permutation and combination

differences in the table below:

Permutation Combination

A selection of r objects The number of possible

from a set of n objects in combinations of r objects from a set
which the order of the on n objects where the order of
selection matters. selection doesn’t matter.
A permutation is used for The combination is used for groups
lists (order matters). (order doesn’t matter).

It denotes the It does not denote the arrangement

arrangement of objects. of objects.

We can derive multiple

Only a single combination can be
permutations from a
derived from a single permutation.
single combination.

They are defined as

They are defined as unordered sets.
ordered elements.

Check:

Solved Examples of Permutation and

Combination

We have provided some permutation and combination

examples with detailed solutions. Get Permutation and
Combination Class 11 NCERT Solutions for free on
Embibe.

Q.1: Find the number of permutations and

combinations, if n = 15 and r = 3.

Ans: n = 15, r = 3 (Given)

Using the formulas for permutation and combination,

we get:

Permutation, P = n!/(n – r)!

= 15!/(15 – 3)!

= 15!/12!

= (15 x 14 x 13 x 12!)/12!

= 15 x 14 x 13
= 2730
Also, Combination, C = n!/(n – r)!r!
= 15!/(15 – 3)!3!
= 15!/12!3!
= (15 x 14 x 13 x 12! )/12!3!
= 15 x 14 x 13/6
= 2730/6
= 455

Q.2: In how many different ways can the letters of

the word ‘OPTICAL’ be arranged so that the vowels
always come together?

Ans: The word ‘OPTICAL’ has 7 letters. It has the vowels’

O’, ‘I’, and ‘A’ in it and these 3 vowels should always
come together. Hence these three vowels can be
grouped and considered as a single letter. That is,
PTCL(OIA).

Hence we can assume the total letters as 5 and all these

letters are different.

Number of ways to arrange these letters

= 5!

= 5×4×3×2×1

= 120

All the 3 vowels (OIA) are different.

Number of ways to arrange these vowels among

themselves

= 3!
= 3×2×1
=6
Hence, the required number of ways:
= 120×6
= 720

Q.3: How many 3-letter words with or without

meaning, can be formed out of the letters of the
word, ‘LOGARITHMS’ if repetition of letters is not
allowed?

Ans: The word ‘LOGARITHMS’ has 10 different letters.

Hence, the number of 3-letter words (with or without

meaning) formed by using these letters
10

=  P3

= 10×9×8

= 720

Q.4: There are 8 men and 10 women and you need to

form a committee of 5 men and 6 women. In how
many ways can the committee be formed?

Ans: We need to select 5 men from 8 men and 6 women

from 10 women.

Number of ways to do this

= 8C5 × 10C6

=  C3 ×  C4 [∵ nCr = nC(n-r)]
8 10

= [(8 x 7 x 6)/(3 x 2 x 1)] x [(10 x 9 x 8 x 7)/(4 x 3 x 2 x 1)]

= 56×210
= 11760

Q.5: A bag contains 2 white balls, 3 black balls and 4

red balls. In how many ways can 3 balls be drawn
from the bag if at least one black ball is to be
included in the draw?

Ans: From 2 white balls, 3 black balls and 4 red balls, 3

balls are to be selected such that at least one black ball
should be there.

Hence we have 3 choices as given below.

Choice 1: We can select 3 black balls.

Choice 2: We can select 2 black balls and 1 non-black

ball.

Choice 3: We can select 1 black ball and 2 non-black

balls.

Number of ways to select 3 black balls

= 3C3

Number of ways to select 2 black balls and 1 non-black

ball

= 3C2 × 6C1

Number of ways to select 1 black ball and 2 non-black

balls

= 3C1 × 6C2

Total number of ways

= 3C3 + 3C2 × 6C1 + 3C1 × 6C2

= 3C3 + 3C1 × 6C1 + 3C1 × 6C2[∵ nCr = nC(n-r)]

= 1 + (3×6) + [3 x (6×5)/(2×1)]

= 1 + 18 + 45
= 64

Q.6: An event manager has ten patterns of chairs

and eight patterns of tables. In how many ways can
he make a pair of tables and chairs?

Ans: The event manager has 10 patterns of chairs and 8

pattern tables.

A chair can be selected in 10 ways.

A table can be selected in 8 ways.

Hence one chair and one table can be selected in 10 ×

8 ways 

= 80 ways

Q.7: In how many ways can three boys can be seated

on five chairs?

Ans: There are 3 boys.

The 1st boy can sit in any of the five chairs (5 ways).

Now there are 4 chairs remaining. The second boy can

sit in any of the four chairs (4 ways).

Now there are 3 chairs remaining. The third boy can sit
in any of the three chairs (3 ways).
Hence, the total number of ways in which 3 boys can be
seated on 5 chairs
=5×4×3
= 60

Q.8: In how many ways can a team of 5 persons be

formed out of a total of 10 persons such that two
particular persons should be included in each team?
Answer: Two particular persons should be included in
each team. Therefore we have to select the remaining (5
– 2) = 3 persons from (10 – 2) = 8 persons.

Hence, the required number of ways

8

=  C3 

= (8×7×6)/(3×2×1)

= 8×7

= 56

Other important Maths articles:

Permutation and Combination Practice

Questions

Here are some practice questions on permutation and

combination concepts for you to practice:

Question 1: There are 5 yellow, 4 green and 3 black balls in a

bag. All the 12 balls are drawn one by one and arranged in a row.
Find out the number of different arrangements possible.

Question 2: In how many ways can a team of 5 persons be

formed out of a total of 10 persons such that two particular
persons should not be included in any team?

Question 3: If there are 9 horizontal lines and 9 vertical lines on

a chessboard, how many rectangles can be formed on the
chessboard?

Question 4: Find the number of triangles that can be formed

using 14 points in a plane such that 4 points are collinear?

Question 5: What is the sum of all 4 digit numbers formed using

the digits 2, 3,4 and 5 without repetition?

Question 6: At a birthday party, every person shakes hands with

every other person. If there was a total of 28 handshakes at the
party, how many persons were present at the party?

Question 7: If nC8 = nC27, what is the value of n?

Question 8: Find the number of triangles which can be drawn

out of n given points on a circle?

Question 9: In how many ways can 10 books be arranged on a

shelf such that a particular pair of books will never be together?

Question 10: How many numbers, between 100 and 1000, can be
formed with the digits 3, 4, 5, 0, 6, 7 (repetition of digits is not
allowed)?

You can also check,

Trigonometry Formulas Algebra Formulas

Mensuration Formulas Differentiation Formulas

FAQs on Permutation and Combination

Q.1: What is nPr formula?

Ans: nPr = n!/(n – r)!

Q.2: What is the formula for permutation and

combination?
Ans: The number of permutations of n objects taken r at
a time is determined by the following formula: P(n,r) =
n!/(n−r)!. The number of combinations of r objects from a
set of n objects is determined by the following formula:
C(n,r) = n!/(n−r)!r!

Q.3: What is the use of permutation and combination

in real life?

many uses of permutation and
Ans: There are
combination in our day-to-day life. Some common areas
where permutation is used are arranging people, digits,
numbers, alphabets, letters, and colours. Selection of
menu, food, clothes, subjects, the team are examples of
combinations.

Q.4: What is nCr formula?

Ans: nCr = n! /(n – r)!r!

Q.5: Where do we use permutation and combination?

Ans: We use permutation for a list of objects where the

order of selection matters. On the other hand, the

combination is used for a group of objects where the
order of selection is irrelevant.