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Permutations P(n,r)

A permutation is an arrangement, or listing, of objects in which the order is important. In the

previous lessons (http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations.html), we looked at
examples of the number of permutations of n things taken n at a time. Permutation is used
when we are counting without replacement and the order matters. If the order does not matter
then we can use combinations (http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/combinations.html).

In these lessons, we will learn the permutation formula for the number of permutations of n
things taken r at a time. We will also learn how to solve permutation word problems with
repeated symbols and permutation word problems with restrictions.

Related Topics: More Lessons on Probability (http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/math-

probability.html)

Permutation Formula
In general P(n, r) means that the number of permutations of n things taken r at a time. We can
either use reasoning to solve these types of permutation problems or we can use the
permutation formula.

The formula for permutation is

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html

If you are not familiar with the n! (n factorial notation) then have a look the factorial lesson
(http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/factorial.html).

Example:

A license plate begins with three letters. If the possible letters are A, B, C, D and E, how many
different permutations of these letters can be made if no letter is used more than once?

Solution:

Using reasoning:

For the first letter, there are 5 possible choices. After that letter is chosen, there are 4 possible
choices. Finally, there are 3 possible choices.

5 × 4 × 3 = 60

Using the permutation formula:

The problem involves 5 things (A, B, C, D, E) taken 3 at a time.

There are 60 different permutations for the license plate.

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html

Example:

In how many ways can a president, a treasurer and a secretary be chosen from among 7
candidates?

Solution:

Using reasoning:

For the first position, there are 7 possible choices. After that candidate is chosen, there are 6
possible choices. Finally, there are 5 possible choices.

7 × 6 × 5 = 210

Using permutation formula:

The problem involves 7 candidates taken 3 at a time.

There are 210 possible ways to choose a president, a treasurer and a secretary be chosen from
among 7 candidates

Example:

A zip code contains 5 digits. How many different zip codes can be made with the digits 0–9 if no
digit is used more than once and the first digit is not 0?

Solution:

Using reasoning:

For the first position, there are 9 possible choices (since 0 is not allowed). After that number is
chosen, there are 9 possible choices (since 0 is now allowed). Then, there are 8 possible choices,
7 possible choices and 6 possible choices.

9 × 9 × 8 × 7 × 6 = 27,216

Using permutation formula:

We can’t include the first digit in the formula because 0 is not allowed.

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html
For the first position, there are 9 possible choices (since 0 is not allowed). For the next 4
positions, we are selecting from 9 digits.

<img src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=8&
c2=14880948&c3=3&c15=&cv=2.0&cj=1"/>

Permutation Word Problems

The following video provides some information on permutations and how to solve some word
problems using permutations.

In this video, we will learn how to evaluate factorials, use permutations to solve problems,
determine the number of permutations with indistinguishable items.

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html

Permutations - Counting Using Permutations.

Basic info on permutations and word problems using permutations are shown.

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html

Introduction to permutations.

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html

Permutations.

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Permutations with Repeated Symbols

Permutations Involving Repeated Symbols - Example 1.
This video shows how to calculate the number of linear arrangements of the word MISSISSIPPI

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(letters of the same type are indistinguishable). It gives the general formula and then works out
the exact answer for this problem.

Permutations Involving Repeated Symbols - Example 2.

In this example, we count how many 'stair-case' paths there are from the origin to the point
(5,3).

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<img src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=8&
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Permutations with restrictions

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html
Permutations with restrictions : items not together
1) In how many ways can five men and three women be arranged in a row if no two women is
standing nest to one another?
2) In how many ways can the word "SUCCESS" be arranged if no two S's are next to on another?

Permutations with restrictions - letters/items stay together. 1) In how many ways can the letters
in the word "HELLO" be arranged where the L's are together?
2) How many ways can the letters in the word 'PARALLEL" be arranged if the letters P and R are
together?

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Permutations vs Combinations
Permutations Vs Combinations

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Permutations (with worked solutions & videos) http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/permutations-math.html
This video highlights the differences between permutations and combinations and when to use
each of them.

Learn how to differentiate between permutations and combinations, answer permutation

questions using a calculator or the permutation equation, and how to answer combination
questions using your calculator or the combination equation.

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