What are Permutations and Combinations?
Permutation is about arranging items in a specific order. The formula for the number of permutations of n items taken r at a time is:
[Tex]P(n, r) = \frac{n!}{(n-r)!}[/Tex]
Combination is about selecting items without considering the order. The formula for the number of combinations of n items taken r at a time is:
[Tex]C(n, r) = \frac{n!}{r! \times (n-r)!} [/Tex]
Here, n! (n factorial) means multiplying all positive integers up to n, e.g., 5! = 5·4·3·2·1
Real-Life Applications of Permutations and Combinations
When we learn permutations and combinations as abstract mathematical concepts, we hardly think of their role in many real-life situations. From selecting an appropriate size while shopping to dealing with complex problems in different fields such as science, technology, business, and many more, various math tools offer practical solutions to situations.
This article will go deeper into the logical world of permutations and combinations, and better understand how they rule the world.