Mathematics QS026

Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

LECTURE 1 0F 4
TOPIC

: 9.0 PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS

SUBTOPIC

: 9.1 Permutations

LEARNING
OUTCOMES : At the end of the lesson students should be able to :
a) Understand the techniques of counting.
b) Understand permutation of a set of objects.
c) Find the number of permutations of n different objects.

Permutations of a set of objects

Introduction
A permutation of a set of objects is any arrangement of those objects in a definite order
(order is important).
Suppose there are 4 ways from Johor to Penang and 2 ways from Penang to Pulau
Langkawi. How many ways can we go for a journey from Johor to Pulau Langkawi through
Penang ?

Bus
Taxi
Johor

Train

Flight
Penang

Ferry

Van

P.Langkawi

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Students will count or list all the 8 possible ways.

Answer : We can use permutation to 4 P1 2 P1 8
solve this problem. The total number of possible ways is .

Consider another example, if A=, then ab a, b, c, d

is a two-element permutation of A, acd is a three-element permutation of A, and adcb is a fourelement permutation of A. The order in which objects are arranged is important. For example, ab
and ba are considered different two-element permutations, abc and cba are distinct three-element
permutations, and abcd and cbad are different four-element permutations.
For another example the six permutations of ABC are the six different arrangements of ABC.
These are
ABC

ACB

BAC

BCA

CAB

CBA

The number of permutations can be calculated using the multiplication principle.

Multiplication Principle
If there are m ways for an event to occur and n ways for another event to
occur, then there are m n ways for the two events to occur.

Example
A fair coin and a die are tossed together. How many different outcomes are possible ?
Solution
The coin has two possible outcomes (head, H and Tail, T) and the dice has 6 possible outcomes.
2
6
12
The number of different possible outcomes is ___ x ___ =
____
Die

Coin

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Head (H)
Tail (T)

1
(H,1)
(T,1)

2
3
(H ,2)
(H, 3)
(T,2)
(T, 3)
Table 9.1.1

From the table 9.1.1, the possible outcomes are

(H,1)
(H,2)
____
____ (H,3)
____ (H,4)
____ (H,5)
____
(T,1)
(T,2)
(T,3)
(T,4)
(T,5)
____
____
____
____
____

4
(H, 4)
(T, 4)

5
(H, 5)
(T, 5)

6
(H, 6)
(T, 6)

(H,6)
____
(T,6)
____

Example
A shop stocks T-shirts in four sizes : small, medium and large. They are available in four colours;
black , red , yellow and green. If the sizes are denoted by S, M and L and the colours are
denoted by B, R, Y and G make a list of all the different labels needed to distinguish the T-shirts
and find the number of different labels.
Solution
Sizes

Colours

Outcomes
SB
SR
SY
SG
MB
MR
MY
MG
LB
LR
LY
LG

B
R
Y
G
B
R
Y
G
B
R
Y
G

A list of all the different labels are

SB

SR

SY

SG

MB

MR

MY
3

MG

LB

LR

LY

LG

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

The number of different labels is 3 x 4 = 12

SB
Permutations of n different objects
Let us consider the number of ways of arranging n letters. If we have 1 letter, there is just one
arrangement, eg: A. If we have 2 letters, there are two different arrangements, eg : AB and BA.
If we have 3 letters, the different arrangements of the letters A, B and C are :
The first letter can be
there are three ways of choosing A
or
the first letter.

When the first letter has been chosen, there B i.e

are two letters from which to choose the or

C
second; and the possible ways of choosing
the first two letters are:
there are two ways of choosing
the second letter

B
or
C

or
i.e. for each of the three ways of B
choosing the first letter, there are two or
C

ways of choosing the second letter. Hence

or
C

or
B

there are 3 2 ways of choosing the first

two letters. Having chosen the first two

letters, there is only one choice for the third letter, i.e. for each of the 3 2 ways of choosing the
first two letters, there is only one possibility for the third letter. Hence there are 3 2 1 ways of
arranging the three letters A, B and C.
Now considering another example,
how many different ways do you think there are of arranging 4 letters?

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

You should able to see there will be 24 different ways, which is found from 4 3 2 1.
If there are 500 different objects, the number of ways would be 500 499 498 3 2 1. This is
tedious to write, so we use the notation 500! ( 500 factorial )
In general,
Number of permutations of n different objects taken all at a time without repetition
n (n 1) (n 2) 2 1
=n!

Notes :
means the products of all the integers n Pn n !
from 1 to n inclusive and is called
n factorial.

Example
List the set of all permutations of the symbols P, Q and R when they are taken 3 at a time.
Solution
PQR, PRQ, QPR, QRP, RPQ, RQP i.e. 6 of them.

Example
How many three-digit numbers can be made from the integers 2, 3, 4 ?

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Solution
n=3
= =3!=3 2 1=6

3
n

The number of arrangements is 6.

P3n

Example
In how many ways can ten instructors be assigned to ten sections of a course in mathematics?
Solution
Substituting n = 10, we get
= = 10 ! = 3,628,800 ways

10
n

P10
n

Example
Three people, Aishah, Badrul and Daniel must be scheduled for job interviews. In how many
different orders can this be done?
Solution
n=3
So there are 3! = 6 possible orders for the interviews.
Example
How many different 4 digit numbers can be formed from the digits 5, 6, 7 and 8
i) 4 possible
if no repetitions
choices

n=4

3 possible
choices

2 possible
choices

6
1 possible
choice

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

= = 4! = 24
ii)

4
n

P 4n

if the first digit must be 7 and no repeatation.

Only 1
possible
choice

2 possible
choices

7
3 possible
choices

1 possible
choice

= 1! 3! = 6

1
3

P13

Note : If repetition is allowed, we can choose from all 2 digits for each digit of the
number (a digit can be used more than once).
How many different ways of arranging 3 digit numbers from digits 5 and 6 ?
5
5
5

6
5

6
5

6
6

6
5
6
5
6

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

You should be able to see there will be 8 different ways, which is found from 222.

Exercise

a, b,

c, d , e

1. How many permutations of the

set begin with a and end with c ?

2. Six people are going on a motoring holiday in a six-seater car. In how many ways can
they be seated if all six are able to drive?

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

3. If there are 3 ways from Penang to Kuala Lumpur and 2 ways from Kuala Lumpur to
Genting Highlands, how many ways can we go for a journey from Penang to Genting
Highlands through Kuala Lumpur ?

Taxi
Bus
Penang

Train

KL
Taxi

Genting
Highland

Bus

Answers
1. 6

2. 720

3.

LECTURE 2 OF 4
TOPIC

: 9.0 PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS

SUBTOPIC

: 9.1 Permutations

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

: At the end of the lesson students should be able to:

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

a) Find the number of permutations of r objects from n

different objects.
CONTENT
Permutations of r objects from n different objects
a)

With restriction ()

b)

With no restriction ()

c)

Permutation with conditions

Pr

nr

Permutations of r objects taken from n different objects

A permutation of r objects taken from n different objects without repetition is an arrangement of
the objects in a specific order.
For example, there 12 permutations for the letters A, B, C and D taken 2 at a time.
These are : AB BA CA DA
AC

BC CB DB

AD BD CD DC
Using the multiplication principle, the number of permutations of 4 objects taken two at a
time = 4 3 = 12. Similarly, the number of permutations of 10 objects taken 3 at a time =10 9 8
= 720.

In general,
the number of permutations of n objects taken r at a time
=

n( n 1)(n 2)...(n r 1)

n(n 1)( n 2)(n 3)...(n r 1)(n r )(n r 1)...3 2 1

(n r )(n rn! 1)...3 2 1

(n r )!

10

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

The number of permutations of r objects chosen from a set of n different objects is

denoted by

Pr

n!

n r!

Example
Suppose you have 4 different flags. How many different signals could you make using
(i) 2 flags
(ii) 2 or 3 flags
Solution
(i) n = 4

r=2
n

Pr 4P2

There are 12

4!
2!

4 3 2!
2!

(4)(3)

12

different signals using 2 flags from 4 flags.

(ii) n = 4, r = 2
4

or

P2 4 P3

n = 4, r = 3
4! 4!

2 ! 1!

4 3 2 ! 4 3 2 1!

2!
1!

12 24

There are 36 different signals using 2 or 3 flags from 4 flags.

Example
How many arrangements of the letters of the word B E G I N are there if
(i) 3 letters are used
(ii) all of the letters are used
Solution

11

36

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

(i) n = 5

r=3
5

P3

The arrangements of the

5!
2!

(5)(4)(3)

60

letters of the word B E G I N is 60 if 3 letters are used

(ii) n = 5
Number of arrangements if all of the letters are used.
=

P5 5 !

(5)(4)(3)( 2)(1)

120

Example
A relay team has 5 members. How many ways can a coach arrange 4 of them to run a
race
Solution
The order of the four runners is important.
Number of arrangements the coach can make 5 P4 =
= 120

Permutations with condition

Example
How many three-digit numbers can be made from the integers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 if
(i) each integer is used only once?
(ii) there is no restriction on the number of times each integer can be used?
Solution
(i) n = 5

r=3
12

4x100 m

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan
n

Pr 5P3

There are 60

5!
2!

5 4 3 2!
2!

(5)(4)(3)

60

different arrangements.
(ii) Number of ways of making the three-digit numbers
= 5 5 5 (repetition is allowed)

= 125

Example
Find the number of arrangements of 4 digits taken from the set { 1, 2, 3, 4}
In how many ways can these numbers be arranged so that
(a) The numbers begin with digit 1
(b) The numbers do not begin with digit 1
Solution
Number of arrangements of 4 digits = 4! = 24
(a)

If the arrangements begin with digit 1, then the number of ways the 3 remaining
digits can be arranged = 3! = 6

(b) The number of arrangements that do not begin with digit 1 = 24 6

= 18

Example
Four sisters and two brothers are arranged in different ways in a straight line for several
photographs to be taken. How many different arrangements are possible if
(a) there are no restrictions
(b) the two brothers must be separated
Solution

13

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

(a) Number of arrangements of 6 people = 6!

= 720
(b) First, find the numbers of arrangements with the two brothers standing next to each
other. In these arrangements, the two brothers move together as one unit and this is
equivalent to the arrangement of 5 objects except that they are able to switch positions with
each other.
Number of arrangements with two brothers next to each other = 5! 2!

= 120

2
= 240

Number of arrangements with the two brothers separated = 720 240

= 480

Example
Arrange 6 boys and 3 girls in a straight line so that the girls are separated. In how many ways can
this be done ?
Solution

Let the 6 Bs represent the 6 boys and the represent the spaces for the girls.
Consider this arrangement :

B B B B B B

Number of arrangements for the boys = 6!

14

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Number of arrangements for the girls = (7 7 P3 spaces available for the 3 girls)
= 210
Total number of arrangements of 6 boys and 3 girls where the girls are separated
= 6! 210

= 151200

Example
There are 10 students out of whom six are females. How many possible arrangements are
there if
a) they are arranged in a row?
b) males always sit on one side and female on the other side?
Solution
a) The number of permutations = 10! = 3628800
b)

2!
6!
6 female

4!
4 male

The number of permutations = 2! 6! 4! = 34560

Example

A witness to a hit-and-run accident told the police that the plat number contained the
letters PDW followed by 3 digits, the first of which is 5. If the witness cannot recall the
last 2 digits, but is certain that all 3 digits are different, find the maximum number of
automobile registrations that the police may have to check.
Solution
5
15

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

PDW
The number of permutations = 1 9 8 = 72 ways

Example

In how many ways can 4 girls and 5 boys sit in a row if the boys and girls must sit
alternate to each other?
Solution

The number of permutations = 5! 4! = 2880 ways

Example
Four digit numbers are to be formed from the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 without repetition .
How many numbers can be formed if each number
a) is less than 5000
b) begins with digit 4 or 6
c) is between 2000 and 6000
d) is an odd number
Solution
4 choices (1, 2, 3, 4)
a)
The number of permutations = 4 6 5 4 = 480 ways
b)

or

The number of permutations = 2 ( 1 6 5 4 )

16

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

= 240 ways
c)
The number of permutations = 4 6 5 4 = 480 ways
d)
The number of permutations = 5 5 4 3 = 300 ways

Example

How many four-digit even numbers can be formed from the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to
make up numbers between 2000 and 6000
a) without repetition
b) with repetition

Solution

a) consider the last position by two parts : 0 and not 0

ends with 0

or

not ends with 0

0
The number of permutations = (4 6 5 1 ) + ( 3 6 5 3) = 390 ways
b)
The number of permutations = 4 8 8 4 = 1024 ways.

17

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Example

Three married couples have bought 6 seats in the same row for a concert. In how many
different ways can they be seated
a) with no restrictions
b) if each couple is to sit together
c) if all the men sit together to the right of all the women
Solution
H1

a)

W1

H2

W2

H3

W3

The number of permutations = 6! = 720

b)

H1 W1

H2 W2

H3 W3

The number of permutations = 3! 2! 2! 2! = 48 ways

c)

W1 W2 W3

H1H2H3

The number of permutations = 1 3! 3! = 36 ways.

Exercise
1. Find the number of different ways in which a gold, a silver and a bronze medal can be
awarded to 15 competitors if each competitor can win only one medal.
2. In how many different ways may 10 different letters be placed in 15 different boxes, not
more than one letter being placed in any box? You may leave the answer in factorial form.
3. A shop has 5 different printers but there is space for only 3 printers on the display
shelf. How many arrangements are possible ?

18

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

4. A photographer wishes to arrange 7 children consisting of 3 boys and 4 girls in a

straight line for a picture. In how many ways can he do this if
(a)

the girls are separated

(b)

the 3 boys occupy the 3 central positions

5. Find the number of ways ABCDE can be arranged if

(a) the arrangements must begin with the letter A.
(b) do not begin with the letter A
Answers
1. 2730
15 !
5!

2.

3. 60
4. (a) 144

(b) 144

5. (a) 24

(b) 96

LECTURE 3OF 4
TOPIC

: 9.0 PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS

SUBTOPIC

: 9.1 Permutations

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

: At the end of the lesson students should be able to:

a)

Find the number of permutations of n objects comprising of r1

identical objects, r2 identical objects,, rk identical objects.

Permutations where some objects are repeated

19

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Consider the number of permutations of the letters

D E F E A T E D.

There are three Es and two Ds. The number of permutations of D1 E1 F E2 A T E3 D2 is

8! But E1, E2, E3 can be arranged in 3! ways, and D1 D2 can be arranged in 2! ways, so
The number of arrangements of D1 E1 F E2 A T E3 D2 is 3! x 2! times the number of arrangements
of D E F E A T E D.
Therefore the number of permutations 8 !
3! 2 !

of D E F E A T E D is .

3360

Generalising this argument we see that,

The number of permutations of n objects comprising of r1 identical objects, r2 identical
objects, ., rk identical
objects is

n!
r1 ! r2 !..........rk !

Example
How many different permutations can be made using the letters of the words
(i) BOOKS

(ii) LOTTO

(iii) MATHEMATICS

Solution
(i) n = 5

r1 = 2

The number of different

n!

r!

5!
(5)(4)(3) 60
2!

permutations is 60.
(ii) n = 5

There

r1 = 2

are

r2 = 2

30

n!

r1 ! r2 !

5!

2! 2!

different arrangement.

20

5 4 3
2

30

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

(iii) n = 11

r1 = 2

r2 = 2

= 4989600
r

r3 = 2
n!
!
r
1
2 ! r3 !

11 !
2! 2! 2!

Example
There are 2 copies of each of 3 different books to be arranged on a shelf. In how many
distinguishable ways can this be done?
Solution

n = 2 3 = 6 ( there are six books )

r1 = 2

r2 = 2

r3 = 2
n!
r1 ! r2 ! r3 !

6!
2! 2! 2!

6 5 4 3
2 2

90

There are 90 ways to arrange 2 copies of each of 3 different books on a shelf.

Example
How many different 10-letter codes can be made using three as, four bs, and three cs?
Solution
n = 10

r1 = 3

r2 = 4

r3 = 3

The number of such codes is

= 4200.

10 !
3!4 !3!

10 9 8 7 6 5
3 2 3 2

Example:
In how many ways can 3 red, 4 blue and 2 green pens be distributed among nine students seated
in a row if each student receives one pen?

21

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Solution
The number of permutations =

= 1260

ways

9!
3! 4! 2!

Example
In how many of the possible permutations of the letters of the word ADDING are the two Ds:
(i) together,

(ii) separated

Solution
(i) There are five different items ( A, (DD), I, N, G ) which can be arranged in 5! ways.
The number of possible permutations is 5! = 5 4 3 2 1 = 120.
(ii) (number of arrangements with Ds separated) = (number of arrangements without restriction)
- (number of arrangements with Ds together).
Now the number of arrangements without 6 ! restriction is .
The number of arrangements in which the
- 5! = ( 6 )( 5 )( 4 )( 3 ) 120 = 240.

2!

Ds are separated is

6!
2!

Example
How many different arrangements are there for the letters of the word
ARRANGEMENTS if
a) begins with R and ends with E
b) the two letters E are separated
c) the two letters E and the two letters A are together
d) the consonant letters GMTS are together
e) the two letters N occupied both ends

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Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Solution
a)

E
10 letters

The number of permutations =

=
b)

10!
2! 2!

(2! for A, 2! for N)

907200

The number of permutations separated

= without restriction E together
=

12!
2! 2! 2! 2!
12
11!
2!
2!2!2!2!2!2!

(2! for A, 2! for R, 2! for N)

= 24948000
c)

EE

AA
8 letters

The number of permutations =

! = 907200
1 1 10
2! 2!

d)

GMTS

8 letters

The number of permutations = 4!

= 544320
e)

9!
2! 2! 2! 2!

N
10 letters

The number of permutations = 1 =

453600

10
!
2! 2! 2!

23

EE 10 letters

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Exercise
1. A dancing contest has 11 competitors, of whom three are Americans, two are Malaysians,
three are Indonesians, and three are Italians. If the contest result lists only the nationality of
the dancers, how many outcomes are possible?
2. In how many ways can the letters of the word STATISTICS be arranged?
Answers
1. 92,400

2.

50400

LECTURE 4OF 4
TOPIC

: 9.0 PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS

SUBTOPIC

: 9.2 Combinations

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

: At the end of the lesson students should be able to:

a) Understand combination of a set of object
b) Determine the number of ways to form combinations of r
objects from n objects.

Combinations of a set of objects

A combination is a selection of objects with no consideration given to the order (arrangement)
of the object.
So while ABC and BCA are different permutations they are the same combination of letters.
PQR, PRQ, QPR, QRP, RPQ, RQP are considered as 1 combination (because the order is not
considered) and 6 permutations (because the order is considered).
Example:

24

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Determine whether each of the following is a permutation or combination:

a) 5 pictures placed in a row.

(Permutation)

b) 3 story books picked from a rack.

(Combination)

c) A team of 9 players chosen from a group of 20.

(Combination)

d) The arrangements of the letters in the word OCTOBER.

(Permutation)

e) Types of food in a plate taken for lunch consist of rice, vegetables, chicken curry and
prawn paste sambal.

(Combination)

Therefore, we can conclude that permutations are used when order is important and
combinations are used when order is not important.
Combinations of r object from n objects
18 !
Three students could be chosen, in order, 18

from a total of 18 in ways. However, each

15
!3
15
!!

of these choices can be arranged in 3! ways (ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA), so the
number of combinations of three items chosen from 18 is = 816.
The general result is:
The number of combinations (or selections) of r objects chosen from n unlike objects is
n

n!

n r !

r!

Notes:
n !
: is the number of combinations on n n C
r
n r ! r !
symbols taken r at a time.

Consider the following table;

taken r
N different
object

object

Combination
n

C r

Number of

n !
Combinations
n r ! r !

25

Permutation
n

P r

n !
n r !

Number of
permutations

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

A, B

AB

AB, BA
AB, BA, AC, CA,

A, B, C

AB, AC, BC

BC, CB

A, B, C

ABC

ABC, ACB, BCA,

BAC, CAB, CBA

From the table,

The number of combinations of 2 objects A, B taken 2 at a time = 2C2 = 1.
The number of combinations of 3 objects A, 3! B, C taken 2 at a time = 3C2 = = 3.
The number of combinations of 3 objects A,

1! 2!

B, C taken 3 at a time = 3C3 = 1.

Thus, we can see that the number of combinations is always less than the number of
permutations.

Example
A quiz team of four is chosen from a group of 15 students. In how many ways could the team be
chosen?
Solution
15

C4

1365

Therefore the team can be chosen in 1365 ways.

Example
If there are eight girls and seven boys in a class, in how many ways could a group be chosen so
that there are two boys and two girls in the group?
Solution
Two girls can be chosen in ways, and the two 87C 2 boys can be chosen in ways. For each of the
ways of selecting the girls there are ways of selecting the boys.

26

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Using the multiplication principle , number of ways of selecting the group.

=

C 2 7C 2

= 588
So there are 588 ways of choosing a group consisting of two boys and two girls.
Example
A school committee consists of six girls and four boys. A social sub-committee consisting of four
students is to be formed. In how many ways could the group be chosen if there are to be more
girls than boys in the group?
Solution
If there are to be more girls than boys in the group then the group will either have four girls and
no boys, or three girls and one boy.
Four girls can be chosen in ways

= 15 6 C 4 ways

Three girls and one boy can be chosen in 6 C 3

4C1
= = 20 4 = 80 ways

Therefore the number of ways of choosing the group if there are more girls than boys is
15 + 80 = 95 ways

Example
Given the set S = {a, b, c, d, e} consists of 5 elements. List all the subsets of S with
(a) two elements
(b) four elements

Solution
(a)
{a, b}, {a, c}, {a, d}, {a, e}, {b, c}, {b, d}, {b, e}, {c, d}, {c, e}, {d, e}
The list show combinations of 5 elements taken 2 at a time.

27

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

(b)

{a, b, c, d}, {a, b, c, e}, {a, b, d, e}, {a, c, d, e}, {b, c, d, e}

The list shows combinations of 5 elements taken 4 at a time.
Note : {a, b, c, d} and {c, a, b, d} are the same subset because they contain
exactly the elements and are considered as one (similar) combination.

Example
In a football training squad of 24 people, 3 are goalkeepers, 7 are defenders, 6 are midfielders
and 8 are forwards. A final squad of 16 selected for a match must consist of 2 goalkeepers, 4
defenders, 5 midfielders and 5 forwards. Find the number of possible selections if one particular
goalkeeper, 2 particular defenders, 3 particular midfielders and 3 particular forwards are
automatically selected.
Solution

1 goalkeepers = 1C1 = 2
Number of ways of selecting the 2 C
Number

of

ways

of

selecting

Number

of

ways

of

selecting

2 defenders = 2C2
the 5 C

= 10

2 midfielders = 3C3 = 3
the 3C

2 = 3C3 = 10
Number of ways of selecting the forwards 5 C
Number of ways of selecting the squad
= 2 10 3 10

(by using the principle of multiplication)

= 600

Example
ABCDEFGH
(a)
(b)

is a regular octagon.
A
How many triangles can be formed
with the vertices of the octagon as vertices ?
B
How many diagonals
can be drawn by joining the vertices?
H
C

Solution
G

D
F

28
E

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

(a)

A triangle is formed by taking 3 of the vertices

Number of triangles =

C3

= 56
(b)

A line can be formed by taking any 2 points from the 8 vertices of the octagon
Number of lines formed = = 28

C2

These 28 lines include the 8 sides of the of the octagon

Thus the number of diagonals = 28 8
= 20

Example
15 students are divided into 3 groups, with A having 7 students, group B having 5 students and
group C having 3 students. Find the number of ways to form
a) the 3 groups
b) the 3 groups with 2 given students must be in group A.

Solution
a) The number of combinations = 15C7 8C5 3C3 = 360360
b) The number of combinations = ( 2C2

C5 ) 8C5 3C3 = 72072

13

Example

29

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

A 3 member committee is to be formed from 4 couples of husband and wife. Find the possible
number of committees that can be formed if
a) all the members are men
b) the husband and the wife cannot be in the committee at the same time.

Solution
a) The number of combinations = 4C3 = 4 ways
b) The number of selecting 3 groups from 4 groups = 4C3
The number of choosing a person from each of the 3 groups selected
= 2C1 2C1

C1

=8
Thus, the number of combinations = 4C3 2C1 2C1 2C1 = 32 ways

Example
In a test, a candidate is required to answer 8 out of 10 questions. Find the number of ways a
candidates
a) can answer the questions
b) can answer the question if the first 3 questions must be answered.
Solution
a)

10

C8 = 45

b) 7C5 = 21

Example
In how many ways can a teacher choose one or more students as a prefects from 5 eligible
students?

30

Mathematics QS026
Topic 9 : Permutations and Combinations Lesson Plan

Solution
The number of combinations is may be one or two or three or four or five person chosen
= 5C1 + 5C2 + 5C3 + 5C4 + 5C5
= 66
Exercise
1. A father buys nine different toys for his four children. In how many ways can he give one
child three toys and the remaining three children two toys each?
2. A party of nine people consists of five men and four women, and a group of four people is to
be chosen at random from this party. In a how many ways can a group of four be chosen that
contains at least three women?
3. For a badminton doubles game, 2 players are chosen from among 5 male players and
3 female players to represent a club. In how many ways can this doubles pair be
selected if
(a) the team is a mixed double, comprising one male player and one female player?
(b) The team is either a male pair or a female pair and no mixed pair are allowed?

Answers
1. 7560
2. 21
3. (a) 15

(b)

30

31