Permutation

There are basically two types of permutation:

1. Repetition is Allowed: such as the lock above. It could be "333".
2. No Repetition: for example the first three people in a running race. You can't be first and second.
But we need to consider also the FACTORIAL NOTATION, PERMUTATION WITH IDENTICAL OBJECTS, and
CIRCULAR PERMUTATION

1. Permutations with Repetition

The number of n permutations taken n at a time is denoted nPn
The total number of permutations of a set of n object is given by:

𝑛𝑃𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) ∙ (𝑛 − 2) ∙. . .∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1

Example:
1. 2𝑃2 = 2 ∙ 1 or AB = AB, BA
2. 3𝑃3 = 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1 or ABC = ABC, BAC, CBA, BCA, CAB, ACB
3. 4𝑃4 = 43 ∙ 2 ∙ 1 or ABCD =
4. In how many ways can six books be arranged on a shelf?
5. 12𝑃12 = 12 ∙ 11 ∙ 10 ∙ 9 ∙ 8 ∙ 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5 ∙ 4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1
= 12 !
FACTORIAL NOTATION
The product 4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1 can be written simply as 4 ! (Read as four factorial)

Example:
1. 12𝑃12 = 12 ∙ 11 ∙ 10 ∙ 9 ∙ 8 ∙ 7 ∙ 6 ∙ 5 ∙ 4 ∙ 3 ∙ 2 ∙ 1
= 12 !
= 479,001,600

2. Permutations without Repetition

Permutation of n different objects taken r at a time is given by
𝑛!
𝑛𝑃𝑟 = (𝑛−𝑟)!

Example:
3!
1. 3𝑃1 = (3−1)! or ABC = A, B, C
=3
4!
2. 4𝑃2 = (4−2)!
or ABCD = AB, BA, CA, DA, AC, BC, CB,
DB, AD, BD,
= 12 CD, DC

4!
3. 4𝑃3 = (4−3)!
or ABCD = ABC, BCA, CBA, BAC, CAB,
ACB
= 24 BCD, CBD, DBC, BDC, CDB,
DCB
CDA, DAC,
CAD, DCA, ADC, ACD
DAB, BAD,
BDA, DBA, ABD, ADB
5!
4. 5𝑃2 = (5−2)! or ABCDE =
= 20
8!
5. 8𝑃2 = (8−2)!
or 12345678 =
= 56

PERMUTATION WITH IDENTICAL OBJECTS

Example:
Roxanne has three vases of the same kind and two candle stands of the same kind. In how many ways can she arrange
these items in a line?

Sol.

5! 5∙4∙3! 20
= = = 10
3!2! 3! 2∙1 2