Chapter 11

Permutations and Combinations

Factorials, permutations and combinations for counting — with an interactive exercise.

Permutations and Combinations count arrangements and selections. The factorial $n!=n\times(n-1)\times\cdots\times 1$.

Permutations ($^nP_r$) count ordered arrangements; combinations ($^nC_r$) count selections where order does not matter. For example $5!=120$ and $^4C_2=6$.

Remember

  • Permutation = order matters; combination = order doesn't.
  • $0!=1$.

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