Module in

DMTN01E

SESSION TOPIC:COUNTING THEORY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the session you will:

1. explain the different counting techniques.
2. differentiate combination from permutation
3. compute problems involving permutations and combinations

KEY TERMS
Acid traps silvers
permutation combination counting theory tree diagram
objects take

CORE CONTENT

There are times one needs to find out the number of all possible outcomes for a series of events. For
instance, in how many ways can a panel of judges comprising of 6 men and 4 women be chosen from
among 50 men and 38 women? For solving these problems, mathematical theory of counting is used.

Counting mainly encompasses fundamental counting rule, the permutation rule, and the combination
rule.

Counting Techniques
1. Fundamental Principle of Counting
2. Permutation
3. Combination

A. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF COUNTING

1.a How many possible ways can a housewife take to buy a book from a bookstore, then buy
groceries from a supermarket if 3 bookstores and 3 supermarkets are all located at almost the
same distance from her residence?

Sol’n: Tree diagram (B:Bookstore, S: Supermarket)

 B1--→ (S1, S2, S3) -> B1S1, B1S2,B1S3 3
Housewife-→ B2-→ (S1, S2, S3) -> B2S1, B2S2,B2S3 3
B3-→ (S1, S2, S3) -> B3S1, B3S2,B3S3 3
---
9

So, No. OF WAYS=n1 x n2

=3 x 3
=9

1.b Find out the total number of ways of forming a 3-digit number using the numerals
0,4,5,6 if no numeral is repeated.

Sol’n:
If 03 is read as 3 only, then 0 will not be used as first numeral.

0 (5,6) -405, 406 2

4 5 (0,6) -450, 456 2
6 (0,5)- 460, 465 2 6

0 (4,6) -504,506 2
5 4 (0,6) -540,546 2
6 (0,4) -560,564 2 6

0 (4,5) 2
6 4 (0,5) 2
5 (0,4) 2 6
________
#of ways=18

So, #of ways=n1 x n2 x n3 (given 0,4,5,6)

=3 x 3 x 2
=18

1.c If we will be allowed to use a number repeatedly , how many 4-digit numbers can be
formed from the numbers 4,5,6,7,8,9 ?
Sol’n:

#of ways= n1 x n2 x n3 x n4
= 6x6x6x6
=1296

Difference Between Permutation and Combination

In English we use the word "combination" loosely, without thinking if the order of things is
important. In other words:

"My fruit salad is a combination of apples, grapes and bananas" We don't care what order the
fruits are in, they could also be "bananas, grapes and apples" or "grapes, apples and bananas",
its the same fruit salad. (Combination)

"The combination to the safe is 472". Now we do care about the order. "724" won't work,
nor will "247". It has to be exactly 4-7-2. (Permutation)

So,

When the order does not matter, it is a combination.

When the order does matter, it is a permutation.

B. PERMUTATION

Formula: nPr= n!/(n-r)! n-# of objects r-takes

1. In how many ways can 5 students be awarded the 1st prize, 2nd prize,and 3rd prize in a
raffle draw if each student can be awarded only one prize?
 Sol’n: P= 5!/(5-3)!
=120/2
=60

Permutation of n with alike objects

Formula; nPr= n!/(r1!r2!r3rk!!)

2. How many permutations are there in the word “pepper”?

Sol’n: nPr= n!/(r1!r2!r3rk!!) n: total letters=6 r1: P=3 r2: E=2 r3: R=1

=6!/(3!2!1!)
=720/12
nPr = 60

C. COMBINATION
-does not consider the order in the arrangement of the objects

Formula: nCr= n!/(n-r)!r!

1. Find the number of possible combinations of the letters w,x,y,z if the letters are taken
2 at a time?

Sol’n: nCr= n!/(n-r)!r!

=4!/(4-2)!2!
=24/2.2
=6

2. From 6 female employees and 5 male employees, how many groups of 5 employees
can be organized consisting of 3 female employees and 2 male employees?

Sol’n: n1Cr1 x n2Cr2= 6C3 x 5C2

=6!/(6-3)!3! x 5!/(5-2)!2!
=720/36 x 120/12
=20 x 10
=200
 IN-TEXT ACTIVITY

• Video discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJnIdRXUi7A -Permutations, Combinations

• Additional Lecture (pdf)

-to be uploaded in the mrooms

SELF ASSESSMENT

SEATWORK

Direction: Solve the following:

1. How many permutations are there in the numbers 23553311182?

2. If repetition is not allowed, how many 3 digit numbers can be formed from the
numerals 1,4,3,5,2?

REFERENCES

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/discrete_mathematics/discrete_mathematics_counting_the
ory.htm
https://www.mathsisfun.com/combinatorics/combinations-permutations.html