What is an arrangement of a set of objects such that the order of the arrangement is not considered?

The difference between permutation and combination is that for permutation the order of the members is taken into consideration but for combination orders of members does not matter. For example, the arrangement of objects or alphabets is an example of permutation but the selection of a group of objects or alphabets is an example of combination. Learn in detail here: Permutation And Combination.

Definition of Permutation and Combination

Permutation: Permutation can simply be defined as the several ways of arranging few or all members within a specific order. It is the process of legibly arranging from chaos. This is what is termed as a Permutation.

Combination: The combination is a process of selecting the objects or items from a set or the collection of objects, such that (unlike permutations) the order of selection of objects does not matter. It refers to the combination of N things taken from a group of K at a time without repetition.

Combination, on the other hand, can simply be defined as the method of selecting a group by taking up some or all members of a set. There is no particular order that is used to follow while combining elements of a set.

There are a lot of different ways of making up a combination and they are all right in their own ways; as there is no particular method of figuring out a combination the “right” way. Thus, this is defined as a combination. Using the combination formula, one can easily get the combination for any set.

Thus, these are the key differences between Permutation and Combination. It is important to understand how they differ from one another.

Example

Suppose, we have to find the total number of probable samples of two out of three objects X, Y, Z. Here, first of all, you have to understand whether the problem is relevant to permutation or combination. The only means to find it is to check whether the order is necessary or not.

If the order is important, then the problem is related to permutation, and the possible number of samples will be, XY, YX, YZ, ZY, XZ, ZX. In this case, XY is distinct from the sample YX, YZ is distinct from the sample ZY and XZ is distinct from the sample ZX.

If the order is unnecessary, then the question is relevant to the combination, and the possible samples will be XY, YZ and ZX.

Frequently Asked Questions on Difference Between Permutation and Combination

A permutation is an arrangement of objects in a definite order. The members or elements of sets are arranged here in a sequence or linear order. For example, the permutation of set A={1,6} is 2, such as {1,6}, {6,1}. As you can see, there are no other ways to arrange the elements of set A.

In permutation, the elements should be arranged in a particular order whereas in combination the order of elements does not matter. Also, read: Permutation And Combination

When we look at the schedules of trains, buses and the flights we really wonder how they are scheduled according to the public’s convenience. Of course, the permutation is very much helpful to prepare the schedules on departure and arrival of these. Also, when we come across licence plates of vehicles which consists of few alphabets and digits. We can easily prepare these codes using permutations.

Basically Permutation is an arrangement of objects in a particular way or order. While dealing with permutation one should concern about the selection as well as arrangement. In Short, ordering is very much essential in permutations. In other words, the permutation is considered as an ordered combination.

Representation of Permutation

We can represent permutation in many ways, such as:

• \(\begin{array}{l}\large \mathbf{P(n,k)}\end{array} \)

• \(\begin{array}{l}\large \mathbf{P^{n}_{k}}\end{array} \)

• \(\begin{array}{l}\large \mathbf{_{n}P_{k}}\end{array} \)

• \(\begin{array}{l}\large \mathbf{^{n}P_{k}}\end{array} \)

• \(\begin{array}{l}\large \mathbf{P _{n}\, _{,k}}\end{array} \)

Formula

The formula for permutation of n objects for r selection of objects is given by: P(n,r) = n!/(n-r)!
For example, the number of ways 3rd and 4th position can be awarded to 10 members is given by:
P(10, 2) = 10!/(10-2)! = 10!/8! = (10.9.8!)/8! = 10 x 9 = 90
Click here to understand the method of calculation of factorial.

Types of Permutation

Permutation can be classified in three different categories:

• Permutation of n different objects (when repetition is not allowed)
• Repetition, where repetition is allowed
• Permutation when the objects are not distinct (Permutation of multi sets)

Let us understand all the cases of permutation in details.

Permutation of n different objects

If n is a positive integer and r is a whole number, such that r < n, then P(n, r) represents the number of all possible arrangements or permutations of n distinct objects taken r at a time. In the case of permutation without repetition, the number of available choices will be reduced each time. It can also be represented as: nPr.

P(n, r) = n(n-1)(n-2)(n-3)……..upto r factors

P(n, r) = n(n-1)(n-2)(n-3)……..(n – r +1)

\(\begin{array}{l}\large \Rightarrow P(n,r) = \frac{n!}{(n-r)!}\end{array} \)

Here, “nPr” represents the “n” objects to be selected from “r” objects without repetition, in which the order matters.

Example: How many 3 letter words with or without meaning can be formed out of the letters of the word SWING when repetition of letters is not allowed?

Solution: Here n = 5, as the word SWING has 5 letters. Since we have to frame 3 letter words with or without meaning and without repetition, therefore total permutations possible are:

\(\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow P(n,r) = \frac{5!}{(5-3)!} = \frac{5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1}{2 \times 1} = 60\end{array} \)

Permutation when repetition is allowed

We can easily calculate the permutation with repetition. The permutation with repetition of objects can be written using the exponent form.

When the number of object is “n,” and we have “r” to be the selection of object, then;

Choosing an object can be in n different ways (each time).

Thus, the permutation of objects when repetition is allowed will be equal to,

n × n × n × ……(r times) = nr

This is the permutation formula to compute the number of permutations feasible for the choice of “r” items from the “n” objects when repetition is allowed.

Example: How many 3 letter words with or without meaning can be formed out of the letters of the word SMOKE when repetition of words is allowed?

Solution:

The number of objects, in this case, is 5, as the word SMOKE has 5 alphabets.

and r = 3, as 3-letter word has to be chosen.

Thus, the permutation will be:

Permutation (when repetition is allowed) = 53 = 125

Permutation of multi-sets

Permutation of n different objects when P1 objects among ‘n’ objects are similar, P2 objects of the second kind are similar, P3 objects of the third kind are similar ……… and so on, Pk objects of the kth kind are similar and the remaining of all are of a different kind,

Thus it forms a multiset, where the permutation is given as:

\(\begin{array}{l} \mathbf{\large \frac{n!}{p_{1}!\; p_{2}!\; p_{3}…..p_{n}!}}\end{array} \)

Difference Between Permutation and Combination

The major difference between the permutation and combination are given below:

Fundamental Counting Principle

According to this principle, “If one operation can be performed in ‘m’ ways and there are n ways of performing a second operation, then the number of ways of performing the two operations together is m x n “.

This principle can be extended to the case in which the different operation be performed in m, n, p, . . . . . . ways.

In this case the number of ways of performing all the operations one after the other is m x n x p x . . . . . . . . and so on

Read More:

• Permutation And Combination Class 11
• Combination

Video Lessons

Permutation and Combination

Problems based on Permutations

Solved Examples

Example 1: In how many ways 6 children can be arranged in a line, such that

(i) Two particular children of them are always together

(ii) Two particular children of them are never together

Solution:

(i) The given condition states that 2 students need to be together, hence we can consider them 1.

Thus, the remaining 7 gives the arrangement in 5! ways, i.e. 120.

Also, the two children in a line can be arranged in 2! Ways.

Hence, the total number of arrangements will be,

5! × 2! = 120 × 2 = 240 ways

(ii) The total number of arrangements of 6 children will be 6!, i.e. 720 ways.

Out of the total arrangement, we know that two particular children when together can be arranged in 240 ways.

Therefore, total arrangement of children in which two particular children are never together will be 720 – 240 ways, i.e. 480 ways.

Example 2:Consider a set having 5 elements a,b,c,d,e. In how many ways 3 elements can be selected (without repetition) out of the total number of elements.

Solution: Given X = {a,b,c,d,e}

3 are to be selected.

Therefore,

\(\begin{array}{l}^{5}C_{3} = 10\end{array} \)

Example 3: It is required to seat 5 men and 4 women in a row so that the women occupy the even places. How many such arrangements are possible?

Solution: We are given that there are 5 men and 4 women.

i.e. there are 9 positions.

The even positions are: 2nd, 4th, 6th and the 8th places

These four places can be occupied by 4 women in P(4, 4) ways = 4! 

= 4 . 3. 2. 1 

= 24 ways

The remaining 5 positions can be occupied by 5 men in P(5, 5) = 5! 

= 5.4.3.2.1 

= 120 ways

Therefore, by the Fundamental Counting Principle, 

Total number of ways of seating arrangements = 24 x 120 

= 2880

Practice Problems

Practice the below listed problems:

1. How many numbers lying between 100 and 1000 can be formed with the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, if the repetition of digits is not allowed.
2. Seven athletes are participating in a race. In how many ways can the first three prizes be won.

To solve more problems or to take a test, download BYJU’S – The Learning App.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs