Permutation &
Combination
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
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Permutation and Combination
In our day-to-day life, we have various things to do. We can find all the possible ways to
do those works by using permutation and combination.
Permutation
Factorial
It can be defined as the product of all natural numbers up to that number
i.e. n! = n × (n – 1) × (n – 2) × (n – 3) × … × 1.
Example:
4! = 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24
5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120
5! = 5 × 4! = 5 × 4 × 3! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120
Permutation
It is defined as the possible number of different arrangements which can be made by
taking some or all given things at a time. In permutation order of things matters i.e. if
two numbers A and B are arranged then AB and BA are counted as two different
permutations.
n
Formula of Permutation: Pr = n!/(n – r)!
Points to Remember
n
Pn = n!
n
P0 = 1
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Combination
It is defined as the possible number in which given things can be selected. In
combination order of things does not matters i.e. if two numbers A and B are to be
selected then AB and BA are counted as one combination.
n
Formula of Combination: Cr = n!/r!(n – r)!
Points to Remember
n
1. Cn = 1
n
2. C0 = 1
n
3. Cr = nCn – r
n
4. C0 + nC1 + nC2 + nC3 + … + nCn = 2n
Permutation vs Combination
Points to Remember
Whenever we want to arrange n things at n places, we can arrange it in n! ways.
Whenever we want to select r things out of n things, we can select it in nCr ways.
Whenever we want to arrange r things out of n things, we can arrange it in nPr
ways.
Number of ways in which r objects can be arranged out of n objects if q things are
similar = nPr/q! = n!/q!(n – r)!
If, nCx = nCy, then either x = y or (x + y) = n
Number of circular permutations of n different objects = (n – 1)!
Number of circular permutations of n different objects if clockwise or anti-clockwise
arrangement are not considered = (n – 1)!/2
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Number of ways in which n people can shake hand with each other once = nC2
Number of straight lines formed by n non-collinear points = nC2
Number of triangles formed by n non-collinear points = nC3
Number of ways to declare result of n matches = 2n
Number of straight lines formed by n points out of which m are collinear points
= nC2 – mC2 +1
Number of triangles formed by n points out of which m are collinear points
= nC3 - mC3
Q. 5 letters A, B, C, D and E are given, then find
1. In how many ways 5 letters can be arranged?
2. In how many ways 3 of 5 letters can be selected.
3. In how many ways 3 of 5 letters can be arranged
A. 1. We can find number of possible arrangements by using factorial = 5! = 120
2. We can find number of ways of selection by using combination, 5C3 = 5!/(2! × 3!) =
(5 × 4 × 3!)/(2 × 3!) = 10
3. We can find required arrangement by using permutation, 5P3 = 5!/3! = (5 × 4 ×
3!)/3! = 20
Q. In how many different ways can the letters of the word ‘HAPPY’ be arranged?
A. HAPPY = 5 Letter word with letter "P" repeating two times
Hence, No. of ways 5 letters word can be arranged with a letter repeating itself 2
times
= 5!/2! = 120/2 = 60
Q. In how many different ways can the letters of the word ‘TESTBOOK’ be
arranged in such a way so that both ‘O’ always comes together?
A. We have a 8 letters word ‘TESTBOOK’ where the letter T and O comes 2 times.
As per the question, we have to make arrangements in such a way so that both ‘O’
always comes together. So, we consider both O as one unit
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Now, we have total 7 units out of which letter ‘T’ repeats twice.
Hence, total number of arrangements = 7P7/2! = 7!/2! = 5040/2 = 2520.
Q. Find the number of different ways of forming a committee consisting of 3 men
and 3 women from 6 men and 5 women.
A. No. of ways of selecting 3 men out of 6 men = 6C3
And, No. of ways of selecting 3 women out of 5 women = 5C3
So, the no. of ways of forming a committee = 6C3 × 5C3 = 200
Q. Find the number of ways in which 5 beads can be strung into a necklace.
A. Total number of beads, n = 5
∴ Required number of ways = (5 – 1)!/2 = 12
Q. In a meeting 5 persons are present, find the number of handshakes if each
person shakes his hand with every other.
A. Number of ways in which 5 people can shake hand with each other once = 5C2 = 10
Q. Find he number of straight lines that can be formed by 10 non-collinear points.
A. Number of straight lines formed by 10 non-collinear points = 10C2 = 45
Q. Find the number of triangle that can be made by using 10 points in a plane, out
of which 3 are collinear.
A. Number of triangles formed by 10 points out of which 3 are collinear points = 10C3 -
3C3 = 120 – 1 = 119
Q. How many possible two-digit numbers can be formed by using the digits 3, 5
and 7
1) if repetition of digits is allowed?
2) if repetition of digits is not allowed?
A. 1) Number of possible two-digit numbers which can be formed by using the digits 3,
5 and 7 = 3 × 3 = 9
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(3 numbers can come at unit place and 3 numbers again can come at tens place
as repetition is allowed)
2) Number of possible two-digit numbers which can be formed by using the digits 3,
5 and 7 = 2 × 3 = 6
(3 numbers can come at unit place and 2 numbers can come at tens place as
repetition is not allowed)
Q. In how many ways can a person choose a programmer of 5 computer courses
if 9 courses are available and 2 specific courses are compulsory for every
person?
A. Among the 5 courses 2 courses are mandatory.
Hence, the person is free to select only (5 – 2) = 3 courses.
Also among the 9 available courses the two mandatory courses are there.
Hence, the person is free to select from (9 – 2) = 7 courses.
Now, the person has to select 3 courses from 7 available courses.
∴ The number of ways this can be done = 7C3 = 35.
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