MATHEMATICS 10

Name of Learner: ____________________________________Grade & Section: _____________

Name of Subject Teacher: ____________________________ Date: _________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 3

ILLUSTRATING COMBINATIONS OF OBJECTS
MELC : illustrate the combination of objects
Competency Code : M10SP – IIIc-1

A. Background Information for Learners

In the previous lesson you have studied the Fundamental Counting Principle and
Permutations. This knowledge and skill will help you understand combinations, which
will further help you in forming conclusions and in making decisions.

Recall:
Permutation-refers to an arrangement of objects in which order is important. The
number of permutations of n objects taken r at a time is:
n!
P(n,r) = ( n−r ) ! ,n≥r
¿
¿
n-Factorial – the product of the positive integer n and all the positive integers less than
n.
n! = n(n-1)(n-2)…(3)(2)(1).

COMBINATIONS
Definition:
Combination - is a way of selecting r objects out of n objects where arrangement is not
important.
Formula:
The combination of n objects taken r at a time is denoted by C (n,r) or nC or C nr

n!
C (n,r) = , n ≥ r . Where n is the total number of objects an r is the
r ! ( n−r ) !
number of objects taken at a time.

Task 1. Discussion:

Identifying situations Consider the situations below:

which illustrate 1.MNHS math club is entitled to send 2 contestants to a Math
permutation and Contest. In how many ways could the choice be made from among the
best competitors, Larry, Marvin, and David?
which illustrate
a.There are 6 possible permutations of the 3 contestants (3P2) :
combination. {Larry, Marvin}{Larry, David}{Marvin, David}
{Marvin, Larry}{David, Larry} {David, Marvin}
b.However, each pair is counted twice, and since the order does not
matter, divide the number of permutations by 2!.
Therefore : the club could send 6÷2=3 pairs.
We sometimes make a selection from a set without regard to order,
such a selection is called ˝ COMBINATIONS ˝.

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Example #1. Identifying situations which illustrate Permutations and Combinations.
Situations Solutions
1.Winning in a contest. 1.Order or arrangement is important (Permutation).
1st Place: Jane, 2nd Place: Belen, 3rd Place: Kris is
different from:
1st Place: Kris, 2nd Place: Jane, 3rd Place: Belen

2.Assigning seats to guests at 2.Order or arrangement is important (Permutation).

dinner. A seating arrangement of:
Renz - Abby – Gelli – Grace
is different from a seating arrangement of:
Grace – Gelli – Abby – Renz
3.Choosing 5 questions to 3.Order or arrangement is not important (Combination).
answer out of 10 questions in You can choose to answer questions 1,2,3,4,5 or questions
a test. 4,6,7,8,9; it will not matter ( assuming that they are worth
the same number of points )..

4.Order or arrangement is not important (Combination).

4.Selecting 4 pizza toppings The order of the pizza toppings is not important as all the
from 9 toppings suggested in toppings will placed on the pizza crust
the menu.

Task 2. Discussion:
Determining the P(n,r) = C(n,r) • r!
number of ways a Solving for C(n,r) gives you:
combination may n!
n! n!
occur in the given C(n,r) = P (n , r) ( n−r ) ! = • 1 = thus ,
situations using the = ( n−r ) ! r ! r ! ( n−r ) !
r! r!
formula that
n!
illustrates C(n,r) =
combination: r ! ( n−r ) !

Note: n ≥ r
Thus, in the situation in Task 1:
MNHS math club is entitled to send 2 contestants to a Math Contest.
In how many ways could the choice be made from among the best
competitors: Larry, Marvin, and David?
This can be illustrated using the formula:
n!
C(n,r) = where ,
r ! ( n−r ) !
n= 3 r = 2 substitute to the formula:
n!
C(n,r) =
r ! ( n−r ) !
3!
C(3,2) =
2! ( 3−2 ) !
3• 2• 1
=
2• 1•1
6
=
2
=3

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Example#2 Solving situations that illustrate combinations using the formula.
Situations Solutions
1.Calculate C(10,3) 1.a. Write the formula of combination:
n!
C(n,r) =
r ! (n−r )
b. Identify the values of n and r:
n = 10 r=3
c. Substitute the values of n and r to the formula:
n!
C(n,r) =
r ! ( n−r ) !
10 !
C(10,3) =
3! (10−3 ) !
d. Solve:
10• 9 •8 •7 •6 • 5• 4 • 3• 2• 1
=
3 •2 •1(7 !)
2.Evaluate:
C(7,5)+C(7,4)
10• 9 •8
=
321
= 10• 3• 4 ( after common factors are cancelled )
C(10,3) = 120
2.a. Write the formula:
n!
C(n,r) =
r ! ( n−r ) !
b. Identify the values of n and r :
For: C(7,5) n = 7 r = 5 For : C(7,4) n = 7 r = 4
c. Substitute to:
C(7,5) + C(7,4)
7! 7!
= +
5! (7−5 ) ! 4 ! ( 7−4 ) !
d. Solve:
3.In how many ways 7! 7!
can a committee = +
5! 2 ! 4 !3 !
consisting of 4
members be formed
7 •6 •5 ! 7 •6 •5 • 4 !
= +
from 8 people? 5 ! •2 •1 4 ! •3 •2 •1
= 7• 3 + 7•5 (after common factors are cancelled )
= 21 + 35
C(7,5) + c(7,4) = 56
3. a. Write the formula:
n!
C(n,r) =
r ! ( n−r ) !
b. Identify the values of n and r :
n=8 r=4
c. Substitute to the formula :
8!
C(8,4) =
4 ! (8−4)
d. Solve :
8 •7 •6 •5 • 4 !
=
4 ! • 4 • 3• 2•1
=7•2•5 ( after common factors are cancelled )
= 70 ways

B. Exercise 1
Directions: Identify which situations illustrates permutation and which illustrates
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combination.

Guided Practice 1.
Situation 1 : Opening a combination lock
Situation 2 : Forming triangles from 6 distinct points in which no 3 points are collinear

Solution:
1.A code of 1234 is different from a code of 2431 in a combination lock.

Answer: Order and arrangement is important so, it is Permutation.

2. If 6 points L,E,A,R,N, and S are on a plane and no three of them are collinear, we can name
triangles such as ∆ RAN and ∆ ARN. In naming the triangles, the order or arrangement of the
letters does not matter.

Answer: Order and arrangement is not important so, it is Combination.

Guided Assessment 1
Situation 1. Drawing a set of 6 numbers in a lottery containing numbers 1 to 45
Situation 2. Entering the PIN ( Personal Identification Number ) of your ATM card

Solution:
1. Since there was no mention of 1st,2nd,or 3rd prize, then it is assumed that the prizes
are of equal of worth. Thus, drawing the numbers 3,5,10,17,23, and 28 is the same as
drawing the numbers 23,17,10,28,3, and 5.

Answer: Order or arrangement is _______________ ( important / not important )

The situation is ______________________.

2. If your ATM card PIN is 2753 but you pressed 2573, you will not be able to access your
bank account.

Answer: Order or arrangement is _____________ ( important / not important )

The situation is ___________________ .

Answer Key for Guided Assessment 1:

Situation 1: Oder or arrangement is not important.
The situation is Combination.
Situation 2: Order or arrangement is important.
The situation is Permutation.

Exercise 2.
Direction: Solve the following situations that illustrate Combination using the formula.

Guided Practice 2.

Situation : Suppose you are given an ordinary deck of playing cards. In how many ways
can 6 cards be selected.

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 Solution:
Selecting 6 cards from a deck of cards is a situation on selecting 6 objects taken from 52
distinct objects since there are 52 cards in a deck of cards. So order or arrangement is not
important.
Step 1: Write the formula of Combination:
n!
C(n,r) = r ! ( n−r ) !
Step 2: Identify the values of n and r:
n = 52 r=6
Step 3: Substitute to the formula:
52 !
C(52,6) = 6 ! ( 52−6 ) !
Step 4: Solve:
52•51 •50 • 49• 48 • 47 •46 !
C(52,6) = 6 •5 • 4 •3 •2 •1 •46 !

= 52 17 10 49 47 ( after common factors are cancelled )

= 20,358,520

Answer: There are 20,358,520 ways in selecting 6 cards from a deck of cards.

Guided Assessment 2:
Situation: In how many ways can a 5 men committee be formed from 9 people?

Solution:
Step 1: Write the formula:
C(n,r) = _______________
Step 2: Identify the values of n and r:
n = _______ r = 5
Step 3: Substitute to the formula:
n!
C(n,5) = 5! ( n−5 ) !
Step 4: Solve:
C(n,5) =

Answer: There are ________ ways in forming a committee of 5 men from 9 people.

Answer Key for Guided Assessment 2:

Solution:
n!
Step 1: C(n,r) =
r ! ( n−r ) !

Step 2: n= 9 r=5

9!
Step 3: C(9,5) =
5! ( 9−5 ) !

9 •8 •7 •6 • 5!
=
5 ! 4 •3 •2 •1

=9•2•7 ( after common factors are cancelled )

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 =126
Answer: There are 126 ways in forming a committee of 5 men from 9 people.

C. Written Output

Part I. Identification:

Directions: Identify which situations illustrate permutation and which illustrate combination.
Write P if it illustrates permutation or C if it illustrates combination.
________1. determining the top three winners in Math Quiz Bee
________2. forming lines form six given points with no three of which are collinear
________3. forming triangles from 7 given points with no three of which are collinear
________4. unlocking a phone using a 5- digit passcode
________5. drawing a set of 6 numbers to win a 6/45 lottery

Part II.Multiple Choice:

Directions : Choose and encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1.A selection of objects from a set without regard to order.
A. combination B. differentiation C. permutation D. distinction
2. Which of the following situations illustrates a combination?
A. arranging books in a shelf
B. drawing names from a box containing 100 name
C. forming different numbers from 5 given digits
D. forming plate numbers of vehicles
3. Calculate C(20,5)
A. 6 840 B. 15 504 C. 116280 D. 1 860 480
4. Evaluate: C(25,4)+C((30,3)+C(35,2)
A. 17 900 B. 17 305 C. 16 710 D. 4 655
5. In a 10 item Mathematics problem – test , how many ways can you select 5 problems
to solve ?
A. 252 B. 254 C. 256 D. 258

Part III. Performance Task: Write your answers in answer sheet.

Directions : Follow the following instructions for your performance task.
1. Make one situation that illustrates combination of objects.
2. Determine the number of ways a combination may occur using the formula
following the steps.
3. What is the value of combinations in our daily life?
D. Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/ies :
Directions: Solve the given situation and show your complete solutions.

1. A certain restaurant allows you to assemble your own vegetable salad. If there
are 8 kinds of vegetable available, how many variations salad can you make
containing at least 5 vegetables?

References:
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Rigor B. Ponsones, Shirlee Remoto – Ocampo,Regina Macarangal Tresvalles ,Wilson
Cordov. (2013). Math Ideas and Life Applications. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, Inc.

Melvin M.Callanta, Allan M. Canonigo, Arnaldo I. Chua, Jerry D. Cruz, Mirla S. Esparrago, Eleno
S. Garcia, Aries M. Magnaye, Fernando B. Orines, Rowena S. Perez, Concepcion S. Ternida.
(2015). Mathematics Learner’s Module . Pasig City: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Prepared by
MELINDA Y. DADULA
Name of Writer

Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.

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