What is Permutations & Combinations?

Mathematics for Computing
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Neo
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What is Permutations & Combinations?

Post by Neo » Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:43 am

Since there are lots of explanations in the internet, I'll explain them briefly and go to few examples.

Permutation: Permutation means arrangement of things. The word arrangement is used, if the order of things is considered.
ORDER IS IMPORTANT
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Combination: Combination means selection of things. The word selection is used, when the order of things has no importance.
ORDER IS NOT IMPORTANT
????????? ????? ?????? ???? ????. ????????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??????.

The only things you need to remember are the formulas.

Permutation Formula:
nPr = n! / (n - r)! Where r <= n
Read as, we have n items and want to pick k in a certain order.

Combination Formula:
nCr = n! / ( r! x (n - r)! ) Where r <= n

Read as, we have n items and want to pick k number of items at a time.

If you are not familiar with n! (Factorial n), have a look at What is factorial?.
n! = 1 x 2 x 3 x ....... (n - 2) x (n - 1) x n

Though these might look quite strange, believe me these are very simple to use.

Let's take an example:

Say there are 5 letters, A B C D E. You are asked to pick 3 letters in order.
Here the n = 5 and k =3.
5P3 = 5! / (5 - 3)! = 5! / 2! = (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1) / (2 x 1) = 5 x 4 x 3 = 60
So there are 60 ways to select 3 letters from a set of 5 letters in a particular order.
Here ABC and CAB are counted as 2 since the order is important.

If you are asked to pick 3 letters without considering the order (so that a combination) here is how we can do it.

5C3 = 5! / 3! x (5 - 3)! = (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1) / (3 x 2 x 1) x (2 x 1) = 5 x 2 = 10
So there are 10 ways to select 3 letters from a set of 5 letters without an order.
Here ABC and CAB are counted as 1 since the order is NOT considered.


Note that we are talking about n items in a particular set here. If you were asked to chose items repeatedly on the same set, then you will need to multiply the result. For example, you are asked to select 1 letter from the set A and B. Then again asked to select 1 letter from A and B (Not considering that 1 is already select before). Finally the same process to chose 1 letter from A and B. So altogether we were asked 3 times to chose one letter each time on the same set then this is 3 combinations. Don't try to apply this on the same formula.
2C1 X 2C1 X 2C1 = 8

I guess you now have a simple idea on Permutations & Combinations now. Lets answer your posts now.
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Nipuna
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Re: What is Permutations & Combinations?

Post by Nipuna » Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:48 pm

Cool Man :)

I knew Those Formulas. But Any Tutorial I found Newer Gave Me such Clear Idea.

Thanks a Lot Friend :)
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