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Permutation and Combination Samples For Discussion
Permutation and Combination Samples For Discussion
Permutation refers to the arrangement of objects in a definite order. That means permutation
is the arrangement of objects in which order matters. The arrangement of r objects out of n
objects can be calculated using the permutation formula. That is:
nPr = n!/(n – r)!
Learn in detail about permutation here.
Permutation Questions and Answers
1. Calculate the following:
(i) nPr when n = 12, r = 5
(ii) 9P4
Solution:
(ii) 9P4
9P4 = 9!/(9 – 4)! = 9!/5!
= (9 × 8 × 7 × 6 × 5!)/5!
= 3024
2. In how many different ways can the letters of the word THOUGHTS be arranged so
that the vowels always come together?
Solution:
Given word: THOUGHTS
Number of letters = 8
T’s = 2
H’s = 2
Therefore, the total number of ways of arrangements = (7! × 2!)/(2! 2!)
= 7!/2!
= (7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2!)/2!
= 2520
7. How many numbers are there between 100 and 1000 such that at least one of their
digits is 7?
Solution:
Total number of 3-digit numbers having at least one of their digits as 7 = (Total number of 3-
digit numbers) – (Total number of 3-digit numbers in which 7 does not appear at all)
Let us find the total number of 3-digit numbers between 100 and 1000.
That means repetition of digits is allowed.
The hundred’s place can be filled in 9 ways, i.e., using digits from 1 to 9.
The ten’s and the unit’s place can be filled in 10 ways using the digits from 0 to 9.
∴ Total number of 3-digit numbers = 9 × 10 × 10 = 900
Now, we need to find the total number of 3-digit numbers in which 7 does not appear.
Here, 9 digits to be used, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9.
Now, the hundred’s place can be filled in 8 ways (excluding 0), and the tens’ and ones’ place
can be filled in 9 ways each.
∴ Total number of 3-digit numbers in which 7 does not appear = 8 × 9 × 9 = 648
Hence, the numbers between 100 and 1000 in which at least one of their digits is 7 = 900 –
648 = 252
8. P, Q, R, S, and T sit on five chairs facing north. R will sit only on the leftmost chair,
and Q will not sit anywhere to the left of P. In how many ways can they be seated?
Solution:
R will sit on 1 and Q will sit somewhere to the right of P
12345
R will sit on 1
Then there are three possible ways.
Case 1:
P on 2, so Q can be seated on 3, 4 or 5
The remaining two can be seated on two chairs in 2 ways
Number of possible ways = 3 × 2 = 6
Case 2:
P on 3, so Q can be seated on 4 or 5
Number of possible ways = 2 × 2 = 4
Case 3:
P on 4, so Q will be on 5
Number of possible ways = 2
Total number of possible ways = (6 + 4 + 2) = 12
Combination