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MATHEMATICS
Guided Learning Activity Kit
Solving Problems Involving
Permutations and Combinations
Quarter 3 - Week 5
 Guided Learning Activity Kit Development Team
Writer : Carlyle V. Forcado
Editors: Willyn Ann M. Balenia / Ramil B. Dabay
Patricia S. Presado / Berlyn B. Cabal
Reviewers: Marilyn D. Joaquin / Marites A. Abelon
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist: Cristina T. Bermudez
Management Team: Leonardo D. Zapanta EdD, CESO V
Michelle Ablian Mejica EdD
Manolito B. Basilio EdD
Evelyn D. Tarrayo EdD
Garry M. Achacoso
Rachelle C. Diviva
Rolando A. Racsa
Peterson A. Pascua

INTRODUCTION
Problems in life is inevitable. Meaning we cannot avoid this to happen. From
simple to the most complicated one. But, how do you deal or face your problems?
Is there a specific formula to be used in order to solve it? Or we treat this in an
easy way?
A word problem is a description of a situation that involves both known and
unknown quantities and relationships between them. Skill is required in order to
solve different kinds of problem in Mathematics. (Obaňa and Mangaldan,
reprinted 2010)
It is therefore important to be knowledgeable about solving real life problems
so that if one comes along our way we can handle and solve it.
In this Guided Learning Activity Kit, you will learn how to solve problems
involving permutations and combinations and be able to use this in formulating
conclusions and making wise decisions.

LEARNING COMPETENCY The learner solves problems involving permutations

and combinations. (M10SP-IIId-e-1)

OBJECTIVES At the end of this Guided Learning Activity Kit, you are expected
to: 1. identify situations that involve permutations and combinations;
2. solves problems involving permutations and combinations; and
3. appreciate the application of permutations and combinations in real-
life situations.

REVIEW Solve for the unknown in each item.

1. P(5 , 5)=¿ _______ 6. C (5 ,3)=¿________

2. P(8 , r )=336 7. C (n , 4)=35
3. P(n , 3)=720 8. C (11, r )=55
4. P(9 , 4)=¿ _______ 9. C (9 , 7)=¿________
5. P(14 ,r )=2184 10. C (8 , 8)=¿ _______
DISCUSSION
Identifying Situations That Involve Permutations and
Combinations
Consider the two situations below.
Situation 1: Suppose you secured your bike using a
combination lock. Later, you realized that you forgot the 4-digit
code. You only remembered that the codes contain the digits 1, 3,
4 and 7. A code of 1347 is different from a code of 1743 in a
combination lock, in this task order or arrangement is important.
Each possible arrangement is called a permutation.
Situation 2: Suppose you were assigned by your teacher to
be the leader of your group for your project. You were given the
freedom to choose 4 of your classmates to be your group mates. If
you choose Aira, Belle, Charlie and Dave, does it make any
difference if you choose instead Charlie, Aira, Dave and Belle? Of
course not, because the list refers to the same people. Each
selection that you could possibly make is called a combination.
On the other hand, if you choose Aira, Belle, Dave, and Ellen, now
that is another combination, and is different from the first
combination cited.
The two situations cited above are just a few applications of
permutation and combination in real-life situations. Having
learned the key concepts about permutations and combinations,
you will determine whether in doing some tasks, order or
arrangement is important or not. It will lead you to identify which
situations involve permutations, and which involve combinations.

Solving Problems Involving Permutations and Combinations

In solving problems involving permutations and
combinations we use the following formulas.
A. Permutations
1. The permutations of n distinct objects taken r at a time is
obtained through the formula
n!
P(n , r )= , n≥r
( n −r ) !
2. The permutation of n objects taken all at a time is: P(n , n)=n!
 3. The circular permutations of n objects refer to the different
arrangements of the objects when arranged in a circle; it is
obtained with the help of the formula
P=(n −1)!
4. Distinguishable permutations refer to the different permutations
of n objects when some of them are alike. It is calculated by using
the formula
where n is the total number of objects, p objects
n!
P=
p!q!r !
, are alike, q objects are alike, r objects are also
alike, and so on.

B. We generally use the formula for combinations which is

n!
C (n , r )=
( n− r ) ! r !
Study the following examples below.

1. In a horse race, how many different finishes among the first

3 places are possible for a 10-horse race? Exclude ties.
Solution: n=10, r =3
n!
P ( n , r )=
(n − r)!
10 !
P(10 , 3)=
(10 −3)!
( 10• 9 •8 •7 ! )
P ( 10 ,3 )=
7!
P(10 , 3)=720 ways
2. A dress-shop owner has 8 new dresses that she wants to
display in the window. If the display window has 5
mannequins, in how many ways can she dress them up?
Solution: n=8, r =5
n!
P(n , r )=
( n −r ) !
8!
P(8 , 5)=
( 8 −5 ) !
8 •7 •6 • 5• 4 • 3!
P(8 , 5)=
3!
P(8 , 5)=6,720 ways
3. Ana, Christine, Nora and Teody posed for a photograph. In
how many ways can they be arranged?
Solution: n=4 , r =4
P(n , n)=n!
P(4 , 4)=4 !
¿ 4 •3 •2 •1
 P(4 , 4)=24 ways
4. The letters in the word committee can be arranged in how
many ways?
n! 9!
Solution: P= p ! q ! r ! = 2 ! 2! 2 !
P=45,360 ways
5. Eleven boy scouts are seated around a campfire. How many
ways can they be arranged?
Solution: P=(n −1)! P=10 !
¿(11− 1)! P=3,628,800 ways
6. There are 4 different Mathematics books and 5 different
Science books. In how many ways can the books be arranged
on a shelf if
a. there are no restrictions?
b. books of the same subject must be placed together?
c. if they must be placed alternately?
Solution:
a. P(9 , 9)=9!
P(9 , 9)=362,880 ways
b. P=(4 ! •5 !)• 2!
¿(24 •120)• 2
¿ ( 2880 ) •2
P=5,760 ways

c. P=5 • 4 • 4 •3 • 3• 2• 2• 1•1 or 5 ! • 4 !
P=2,880 ways
7. In how many ways can a committee consisting of 4 members
be formed from 8 people?
Solution: n=8, r =4
n!
C (n , r )=
( n− r ) ! r !
8!
C (8 , 4)=
(8 − 4 )! 4 !
8!
¿
4! 4!
8 •7 •6 •5 • 4 • 3• 2• 1
¿
4 • 3• 2• 1• 4 •3 • 2• 1
¿ 7 •2 •5
C (8 , 4)=70 ways
 8. How many polygons can be possibly formed from 6 distinct
points on a plane, no three of which are collinear?
Solution: The polygon may have 3 , 4 ,5 , or 6 vertices. Thus,
the number N of possible polygons is:

N=C (6 ,3)+C (6 , 4)+C (6 , 5)+ C(6 ,6)

6 •5 •4 6 • 5• 4 • 3 6 •5 • 4 •3 • 2 6 •5 • 4 •3 •2 •1
¿ + + +
3! 4! 5! 6!
6 •5 •4 6 • 5• 4 • 3 6 •5 • 4 •3 • 2 6 •5 • 4 •3 •2 •1
¿ + + +
3 •2 •1 4 •3 • 2•1 5 • 4 •3 •2 •1 6 •5 • 4 •3 •2 •1
¿ 5(4)+5(3)+6+1
¿ 20+15+7
N=42 possible polygons
Verify this answer by using the formula for combinations.

9. Jane wants to solve a system of equations through

elimination by combining any two equations. The number of
equations she has is equal to the number of variables. She
realizes that she has 10 possible ways to start her solution.
How many equations does she have?
Solution:
C (n , 2)=10
n(n −1)
=10
2!
n(n −1)
=10
2
2
n −n=20
2
n −n − 20=0
(n −5)(n+4)=0
n=5
Checking:
C (5 , 2)=10
5!
C (5 , 2)=
( 5 −2 ) ! 2 !
5! 120
¿ = , (n cannot be − 4 of course)
3! 2 ! 6 (2)
120
¿
12
¿ 10
thus, n=5 is a solution
Going back to the “combination” lock problem on page 3.
 10. Suppose you secured your bike using a combination lock.
Later, you realized that you forgot the 4-digit code. You only
remembered that the codes contain the digits 1 ,3 , 4 and 7.
What are you going to do? How can you apply your
knowledge of permutations here? Elaborate.
Solution: n=4 , r =4
P(4 , 4)=4 !
¿ 4 •3 •2 •1
P(4 , 4)=24 ways

My knowledge of permutations will tell me that there are 24

possible arrangements of the numbers in the code. If I have
enough time, I would try all of them, while making a systematic
list to eliminate the wrong codes. If I am in a hurry, I would
leave my bike with the security guard temporarily and find
another way to go home.

ACTIVITIES

Guided Practice 1. Study the following situations. Identify which

situation illustrates permutation and which illustrates combination.
Write your answers on your paper.
1. Girl scouts sitting around a circular table
2. Forming lines from 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. The first three places in a marathon
5. Assembling a jigsaw puzzle
6. Choosing 2 household chores to do before dinner
7. Selecting 5 basketball players out of 10 team members for the
different positions
8. Choosing three of your classmates to attend your party
9. Picking six balls from a basket of 12 balls
10. Forming a committee of 5 members from 20 people
Guided Practice 2 Solve the following permutation and combination
problems. Write your answers on your paper.
1. In how many ways can six books be arranged on a shelf?
 2. In a beauty pageant, there are six finalists. How many ways can 3
winners be selected?
3. A boy has 4 one-peso coins, 3 five-peso coins and 2 ten-peso
coins. How many ways can he arrange the coins in a row?
4. How many seating arrangements are possible for 5 people to be
seated at a round table?
5. How many possible permutations are there in the letters of the
word PHILIPPINES?
6. If there are 12 teams in a basketball tournament and each team
must play every other team in the eliminations, how many
elimination games will there be?
7. In a class of 25 students, there are 10 boys and 15 girls. How
many ways can a committee of 3 boys and 2 girls be formed?
8. In a 10-item Mathematics problem-solving test, how many ways
can you select 5 problems to solve?
9. From a population of 50 households, in how many ways can a
researcher select a sample with a size of 10?
10.A soloist is auditioning for a musical play. If she is required to
sing any three of the 7 prepared songs, in how many ways can
she make her choice?

Independent Practice Answer the following questions completely.

Write your answers on your paper.
1. Differentiate between permutation in general (n objects taken r at
a time), circular permutation, and distinguishable permutation
(when some objects are alike).
2. To find the total number of polygons that can be formed from 7
points on a plane with no three of which are collinear. Joy
7!
answered: C (7 , 3)=
4!3!
7 •6 •5 • 4 !
¿
4 ! 3!
7 •6 •5
¿
3 •2 •1
C (7 , 3)=35 different polygons

Is Joy correct? Justify your answer.

3. Suppose you withdraw money from your ATM card but
unfortunately you forgot the 6-digit P.I.N.. You only remembered
 that the P.I.N. contains the digits 0 , 1 ,3 , 5 , 8 , and 9. What are you
going to do? How can you apply your knowledge of permutations
here? Elaborate.

ASSESSMENT
A. Directions: Read and understand the following. Choose the letter
of the correct answer. Write your answers on your paper.
1. Which situation illustrates permutation?
A. Forming a committee of councilors
B. Selecting 10 questions to answer out of 15 questions in a
test
C. Choosing 2 literature books to buy from a variety of choices
D. Assigning rooms to conference participants
2. Which of the following situations illustrates combination?
A. Arranging books in a shelf
B. Drawing names from a box containing 200 names
C. Forming different numbers from 5 given digits
D. Forming plate numbers of vehicles
3. Which of the following expressions represents the number of
distinguishable permutations of the letters of the word
MATHEMATICS?
11! 11! 11!
A. 11! B. 8 ! C. 2! 2 ! 2 ! D. 2! 2 ! 2 ! 2!
4. A certain restaurant allows you to assemble your own vegetable
salad. If there are 8 kinds of vegetables available, how many
variations of the salad can you make containing at least 5
vegetables.
A. 56 B. 84 C. 93 D. 96
5. Calculate P(12 , 4).
A. 40 ,320 B. 11, 880 C. 990 D. 495
6. How many different 3-digit numbers can be formed from the
digits 1 ,3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 if repetition of digits is not allowed?
A. 840 B. 720 C. 360 D. 120
8!
7. Calculate 4 ! • 2!
A. 420 B. 840 C. 1 , 680 D. 2 , 520
8. If C (n , 5)=126, then n=¿ _____
A. 7 B. 8 C. 9 D. 10
 9. In how many ways can 5 English books and 4 Mathematics
books be placed on a shelf if books of the same subject are
together?
A. 5 , 760 B. 2 , 880 C. 120 D. 24
10. In how many different ways can 10 different-colored horses
be positioned in a carousel?
A. 504 B. 4 , 032 C. 362 , 880 D. 3 , 628 , 800
11. There are 8 books on a shelf. In how many ways can you
select 4 books?
A. 35 B. 70 C. 840 D. 1 , 680
12. In a box, there are 20 colored balls. Eight are red, 5 are white
and 7 are blue. How many ways can 3 red, 1 white and 2 blue
balls be chosen?
A. 1 , 680 B. 2 , 880 C. 5 , 880 D. 4 , 880
13. How many 6-digit numbers can be made using the digits
from 944 ,394 ?
A. 60 B. 120 C. 360 D. 720
14. In how many ways can 4 men and 3 women arrange
themselves in a row for picture taking if the men and women
must stand in alternate positions?
A. 5 , 040 B. 720 C. 144 D. 30

REFLECTION

Now that you are done with the activities and assessment, let us
try your understanding of our topic. Write your answers on your paper.
A. Fill in the blank to make the statement true.

A situation or problem involves ____________ if the order of the

objects is important while a situation or problem involves
___________ if it consist of task/tasks of selecting from a set and the
order or arrangement is not important.
B. Give 2 tasks/situations for each.
Permutation Combination
1. 1.
2. 2.

C. A family catering business prides itself with its offerings of

delicious meals and other food requirements. If you were one of
the staff or key persons in this business, how can you apply your
knowledge of permutation and combination to further improve
your business?

Key to Corrections

Independent Practice Review

1. The permutations of n distinct objects
taken r at a time is obtained through the
1. 120
n! 2. 3
formula P(n,r) = . Basically the 3. 10
( n −r ) ! 4. 3, 024
objects are being arranged in a row. 5. 3
The circular permutations of n objects
6. 10
refer to the different arrangements of the
objects when arranged in a circle. It is
7. 7
obtained with help of the formula P =(n- 8. 9
1)! 9. 36
We use the words distinguishable 10. 1
permutations to refer to the different
permutations of n objects when some of Guided Practice 1
them are alike. It is calculated by using 1. permutation
n! 2. combination
the formula P = , where n is the
p! q!r! 3. combination
total number of objects, p objects are 4. permutation
alike, q objects are alike, r objects are 5. permutation
also alike, and so on 6. combination
2. Joy is not correct because she only 7. permutation
calculated the number of triangles that 8. combination
can be formed [C(7 ,3)]. She did not 9. combination
include the number of other polygons, 10. combination
namely, quadrilaterals, pentagon,
hexagon, or heptagon.
3. Answers may vary. Guided Practice 2
1. 720 6. 66
2. 120 7. 12 , 600
REFLECTION 3. 1 , 260 8. 252
4. 24 9. 1.027 x 10 10
5. 1 ,108 ,800 10. 35