Examples on Combinations in 12MxR

1.

A group of 5 prefects is to be selected from a group of 20 students.

a)

How many different groups of prefects can be selected?

b)

In how many ways can the 5 prefects be selected if Lisa (one of the 20 students),
i)
declines nomination?

ii)

is selected for prefect?

c)

Sandy and Grace refuse to serve together as prefects.

In how many different ways can the prefects be selected, ensuring that their wishes
are met?
There are 2 ways to do this problem.

d)

If the group of 20 students is composed of 12 girls and 8 boys, in how many

different ways can 3 girls and 2 boys be selected as prefects if
i)
there are no other restrictions?

e)

ii)

Sue-Maye and Sarah get really fussy and refuse to be prefects together?

iii)

Anita and Jessica become friends again and refuse to be prefects unless they
are both selected?

If the group of 20 students is composed of 12 girls and 8 boys, in how many

different ways can 5 prefects be chosen to include at least 2 girls?

2.

15 students are to be split equally between 3 classes. How many ways can this be done if the
classes are
a)
distinct?
(eg Art, PE and Music)
b)
identical?
(eg 3 Peer Support groups or 3 basketball teams)

3.

a)

A group of 21 students play a game that needs 10 students each side and a referee.
In how many ways can they arrange the teams?

b)

In how many ways can this be done, if Tina insists on being the referee?

4.

Cindy, Jennifer, Marie, Susie, Shimster, Meggie, Emily and Tina are to be divided into two
groups.
a)
What is the probability that there will be 4 in each group, so that they can play a
game of touch footy?

b)

5.

What is the probability that Cindy, Jennifer and Marie are in one group of four?

Use an algebraic (or combinatorial) definition of nCr to find n if nC6 = nC4.

Examples on Combinations in 12MxR continued

6.

10 people are to sit around two circular tables that can accommodate 5 people.
How many ways can this be done if:
a)
there are no restrictions?

b)

7.

Rebecca and Stephanie decide to sit on one table and Cathy and Simone sit on the
other table?

Yiling, Jessica, Leanne and Lillian decide to play poker.

a)
How many ways can Yiling get 4 of a kind?

b)

How many ways can Jessica get a full house?

c)

How many ways can Leanne get 3 of a kind?

d)

How many ways can Lillian get 2 pair?

Cambridge Questions
Ex 10G

Q 1 26 (27 29 X2)

Ex 10H

Q evens