SOLUTION

1. We know from the denition of a factorial that 12! = 12 11 10 . . .

3 2 1. However, it can be quite tedious to work this out by calculating each
multiplication step on paper or typing each step into your calculator. Fortunately,
there is a button on your calculator which makes this much easier. To use your
calculator to work out the factorial of a number:
Input the number.
Press SHIFT on your CASIO or 2ndF on your SHARP calculator.
Then press x! on your CASIO or n! on your SHARP calculator.
Finally, press equals to calculate the answer.
If we follow these steps for 12!, we get the answer 479 001 600.
2. Expand the factorial notation:
8!
4!
=
8 7 6 5

1
= 8 7 6 5 = RHS
3. Expand the factorial notation:
n!
(n 1)!
=
n

(n 1)

(n 2)

(n 3) . . .

(n 1)

(n 2)

(n 3) . . .

1
= n
If n = 1, we get
1!
0!
. This is a special case. Both 1! and 0! = 1, therefore
1!
0!
= 1 so
our identity still holds.
Exercise 10 5: Factorial notation
1. Work out the following without using a calculator:
a) 3!
b) 6!
c) 2!3!
d) 8!
e)
6!
3!
f) 6! + 4! 3!
g)
6! 2!
2!
h)
2! + 3!
5!
i)
2! + 3! 5!
3! 2!
j) (3!)
3
k)
3! 4!
2!
2. Calculate the following using a calculator:
a)
12!
2!
b)
10!
20!
c)
10! + 12!
5! + 6!
d) 5!(2! + 3!)
e) (4!)
2
(3!)
2
430 10.5. Factorial notation