10

Mathematics
Quarter 3 – Module 4:
Difference Between Permutation
and Combination
Mathematics – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 4: Difference Between Permutation and Combination
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education, Region III, SDO Nueva Ecija

Schools Division Superintendent: Jessie D. Ferrer, CESO V
Assistant Schools Division Superintendents: Mina Gracia L. Acosta, PhD, CESO VI
Ronilo E. Hilario

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Emelisa M. Parocha

Editor: Arnel V. Ferriol
Leonides E. Bulalayao Ph. D.
Teresita S. Moraleda
Reviewer: SDO Nueva Ecija
Layout Artist: Emelisa M. Parocha
Management Team: Jayne M. Garcia, EdD
Florentino O. Ramos, PhD
Beverly T. Mangulabnan, PhD
Eleanor A. Manibog, PhD

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Region III - SDO Nueva Ecija

Office Address: Brgy. Rizal, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija

Telefax: (044) 940-3121
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module is prepared so that you, our dear learners,

can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are clearly stated
for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lessons prepared
for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons

in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing
this module if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s
assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of
each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your
learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We
trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main test, Notes to the teacher are
also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and
reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based
learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises and tests. Read the instructions carefully before
performing each task.

If you have any question in using this SLM or any difficulty in

answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your
teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for the learners. After going
through this module, the learner is expected to identify real-life situation that
shows permutation and combination and differentiate permutation from
combination of n objects taken r at a time. (M10SPIIIc-2).

What I Know

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write the letter of the correct
answer on separate sheet/s of paper.

1. What word best describes “permutation”?

A. groupings C. arrangement
B. order is not important D. choices

2. What word best describes “combination”?

A. groupings C. arrangement
B. order is not important D. choices

3. Find the number of ways that a singer chooses 3 songs to perform out
of 7 songs she has.
A. 21 C. 840
B. 35 D. 30,240

4. Which one is the solution of finding the number of ways watching to 5

different TV shows from a selection of 15 shows?
15!!‼ 15!
A. ( )
C.
15−15) !!5!! 5!
5! 15!
B. D.
15!−5! (5!)(15!)

5. In a class of 25 students competing in a quiz bee, how many different

ways can a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd placer be awarded?
A. 13,800 C. 2,300
B. 4,600 D. 220

1
Lesson
Difference Between
1 Permutation and Combination

Finding difference between permutation and combination on n objects

taken r at a time sometimes very challenging. In this lesson, you will learn
how to differentiate a permutation problem from combination problem.

What’s In

In the past lesson, you have learned the illustrations of

permutation and combination. At this point, you already knew how to
define permutation and combination.

Answer the questions below:

A. How many ways to take a photograph of 10 friends taken 3 at a time?
Questions to answer:
1. Is there a need of order or arrangement in the solution?
2. Is there a need of repetition of elements?
3. Is there a significant position needed?
4. Is it permutation or combination?

B. If there are 25 questions, how many sets of 4 questions can be chosen

from?
Questions to answer:
1. Is there a need of order or arrangement in the solution?
2. Is there a need of repetition of elements?
3. Is there a significant position needed?
4. Is it permutation or combination?

2
 What’s New

In this module, we will differentiate problems of permutation

from combination of n objects taken r at a time.

Analyze the given situation below and try to solve using your
knowledge from your previews lesson in Modules 1,2 and 3.

Eme and Lisa went to the mall, they went to the garment section
and trying to find clothes for their friend’s birthday party. They found
6 different colors of blouses and 4 colored skirts hung on the shelf.
In how many ways they can try to fit the blouse with skirt?

What Is It

In this module, we will differentiate problems of permutation

from combination of n objects taken r at a time.
Permutation refers to the different possible arrangements of a
set of objects. The number of permutations of n objects taken at a time
is
𝑛!
P (n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟)! , n ≥ 𝑟.
Conditions to be considered in solving problems in permutation
of n object taken r at a time:
1. A permutation is an arrangement or sequence of objects from
a single set.
2. Repetition is not allowed. In the same manner the element
may not appear more than once in an arrangement.
3. The order of arrangement is significant.

Example 1

In how many ways can you choose a president, a secretary and a

treasurer for a club from 12 candidates, if each candidate is eligible for each
position, but no candidate can hold 2 positions?

3
Questions:
1. Does the solution need an arrangement? Yes.
2. Does it have repetition of the element in a group? Yes.
3. Is the selection of the position significant? Yes.

Since all the answers are yes, the problem involved permutation.
Solution:
From the 12 candidates, 3 will be taken.
𝑛!
P(n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟 )!
, n ≥ 𝑟.
12!
P(12, 3) = (12−3)!
12 · 11 · 10 · 9!
=
9!
=12 · 11 · 10
P(12, 3) = 1,320

Example 2
In how many ways can you choose 3 students from group of 10
students to represent the class in Math contest?
Questions:
1. Does the solution need an order? No
2. Does it have repetition of the element in a group? No
3. Is the selection of the position significant? No
Since all answers are no, the problem involves combination. The
arrangement is needed, but the position is not significant.

Solution:
From the 10 students, 3 will be chosen.
𝑛!
C(n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟 )!𝑟!
, n ≥ 𝑟.
10!
C(10, 3) = (10−3)!3!
10!
= 7!3!
10 · 9 · 8 · 7!
= 7!3 · 2 · 1
10· 9 · 8
=3·2·1
10 · 3 · 3 · 4 · 2
= 3· 2 · 1
10 · 3 · 4
= 1
C(10, 3) = 120

4
 Example 3
Identify the number of ways to select five group members, out of
nine classmates, for a group project.
Questions:
1. Does the solution need an order? No
2. Does it have repetition of the element in a group? No
3. Is the selection of the position significant? No
Since all answers are no, the problem involved combination.
The arrangement is needed, but the position is not significant.

Solution:
From the 9 students, 5 will be chosen.
𝑛!
C(n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟 )!𝑟!
,n ≥ 𝑟.
9!
C(9, 5) = (9−5)!5!
9·8·7·6·5·4!
= 4! 5!
9·8·7·6·5!
= 4! 5!
3 9·8·7·6
= 4·3·2·1
126
= 1
C(9,5) = 126

What’s More

Directions: Write “P” if the problem is permutation (order is important)

and “C” if the problem is combination (order is not important). Write
your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. How many ways can 6 people sit around a campfire?

2. You have been asked to judge an art contest with 15 entries. In
how many ways can you award the 1st,the 2nd and the 3rd place?
3. In how many ways can you arrange 5 different math books on a
shelf?
4. How many different ways can 12 cards be dealt from a standard
deck of playing cards?
5. From a display of 6 different blouses, how many ways can you
select 3?

5
 What I Have Learned

Directions: Write the situations below to the corresponding column.

Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Permutation Combination

Situations:

𝑛!
1. The elements can be repeated. 6. (n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟 )!𝑟!
, n ≥ 𝑟.
𝑛!
2. No need of repetition of objects. 7. (n, r) = (𝑛−𝑟)! , n ≥ 𝑟.
3. The position is significant. 8. How many ways in choosing
two colors from blue, green,
red and yellow?
4. The order is needed. 9. How many different ways
can 6 bicycles be parked if there are
7 available parking spaces?
5. The order is not needed. 10. The position doesn’t matter.

6
 What I Can Do

Now that you have learned how to differentiate situations of

permutation and combination, it is time for you to make two real life
situations involving permutation and combination and use
appropriate solution to solve the problems.

Rubric on Situation/s Made and Solved

Score Descriptors

Made a correct situation on permutation or combination and used

5 an appropriate formula to come up with a correct solution and
arrived at a correct answer

Made a correct situation on permutation or combination and used

4 an appropriate formula to come with a solution but a part of the
solution led to an incorrect answer

Made a situation on permutation or combination but did not follow

3
the correct formula for the solution that led to incorrect answer

Attempted to make a situation on permutation or combination but

2 used an inappropriate strategy in using the formula that led to a
wrong solution

Attempted to make a situation on permutation or combination but

1 could not identify if it is permutation or combination and used
incorrect formula that came up into incorrect solution and answer

7
 Assessment

Directions: Read and analyze each item. Write your answers on a

separate sheet of paper.

1. In how many ways can 5 people be lined up for a photograph?

A. 120 C. 1
B. 25 D. 125

2. What leads you to find the answer in number 1?

A. It satisfies the condition in permutation.
B. It satisfies the condition in combination.
C. It doesn’t matter either the problem is permutation
or combination.
D. All of the above statements are correct.

3. How many ways can you arrange 3 of the letters from the word
“MATH”?
A. 12 C. 24
B. 4 D. 3

4. Sonia wants to make a fruit salad for her birthday. How many ways
can she select 4 fruits from 6 different fruits to prepare for her fruit
salad?
A. 15 C. 10
B. 24 D. No

5. Eight runners are competing in a race. In how many ways can a Gold,
a Silver and a Bronze medal be awarded?
A. 24 C. 3
B. 336 D. 800

6. If there are 10 distinct points on a plane, no 3 of which are collinear,

how many quadrilaterals can be formed?
A. 800 C. 80
B. 210 D. 45

7. How many answer keys can be made in a 5-item True or False test?
A. 10 C. 2
B. 5 D. 1
8
 8. How many 5-digit numbers can be formed in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 if
repetition is not allowed?
A. 25 C. 120
B. 250 D. 600

9. Find the number of ways in which 10 different facemasks can be

distributed among 5 students?
A. 252 C. 120
B. 15,120 D. 50

10. In a night shift duty in a hospital, how many groups of three nurses
can be formed out of ten nurses?
A. 30 C. 500
B. 120 D. 720

9
 10
What’s In What's More What I can Do
A. 1. Yes 1. P 1. Follow the rubrics,
2. No 2. P this may rate as
3. Yes 3. P your performance.
4. Permutation 4. C
5. C
B. 1. No
2. Yes
3. No
4. Combination
What I Know
What I Have Learned
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. A
Permutation Combination
5. C
No need of repetition of The elements can be repeated.
objects.
The position is significant. The order is not needed.
Assessment The order is needed. The position doesn’t matter.
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. C
9. A
10. B
Answer Key
References

Book

Grade 10 Mathematics Learners Manual, Department of Education

Republic of the Philippines First Edition 2015

Websites

www.3.nd.edu

https://bit.ly/PermutationCombination

https://bit.ly/DontmemoriseYouTube

https://youtube.com/c/MathTeacherAsh

https://youtube/TBnPkKxXPu8*

11