Probability and Statistics

Lesson #2 Permutations &

Combinations

If the order matters it is called a Permutation.

.
If the order does not matter it is called a Combination

They should really call it a Permutation Lock

The re-arranging cars in a lot problem

How many ways can we arrange x number of cars in

their parking spots.
x=3 cars (R,Y,B)

x=4 cars (R,Y,B,W)

___ ___4 ___ ___

4x3x2x1=24 different ways

RYB
RBY
YBR = 6 different options
YRB
BYR
BRY

X=5 cars (R,Y,B,W)

5

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

5x4x3x2x1=120 different ways

To Remember: Permutation think Position

eg. 1 Organizing 3 students in a row

3
___ ___ ___

3x2x1=3! or 6 permutations

eg. 2 Organizing 6 books on a shelf.

6 ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___

6x5x4x3x2x1=6! Or 720 permutations

Page 136
Answer questions 1, 2, 4

To Remember: Combination think Choose

eg. 1 Choose 3 students from a set of 5 to go to the office

# of Combinations = # of arrangements for the r items considering order

# of permutations for the r items

# of Combinations = 5x4x3 = 10 combinations

3!

Pick 4 Pool balls of 16 to place on the table.

# of Combinations = # of arrangements for the r items considering order

# of permutations for the r items

# of Combinations = 16x15x14x13 = 1820

4!

Therefore one can pick 1820 different combinations of 4 pool balls from 16 on the table.

Permutations vs Combinations Challenge

Permutation or Combination
A) One chooses 3 different toppings on a veggie
burger from a choice of 15 toppings.

Combination
Permutation

Permutation or Combination
B) Arrange all 6 shirts in your closet. Order is
important.

Combination
Permutation

Permutation or Combination
C) Take your two favourite movies from a collection
of 15 dvds to a friends for a slumber party.

Combination
Permutation

Permutation or Combination
D) Make a poker hand by taking the top 5 cards
from a deck.

Combination
Permutation

Permutation or Combination
E) A teacher organizes all 12 class tests in
alphabetical order.

Combination
Permutation

Special Case
How many ways can the medals be awarded to 8
different swimmers?
Combination = 8 7 6
Therefore there are 8x7x6 options or 336 different
ways to award medals to the swimmers.

Special Case
How many ways can 3 different people be arranged
at a round table?
A
C

A
B

There are only two ways to arrange 3 people at a round table.

Homework
Yahtzee!!

How to Play Yahtzee?!

Object of the game
The object of Yahtzee is to obtain the
highest score from rolling 5 die. The
game consists of 13 rounds. In each
round, you roll the dice and then score
the roll in one of 13 categories. You
must score once in each category. The
score is determined by a different rule
for each category. The game ends once
all 13 categories have been scored.