Permutation

A permutation is an arrangement in which

order matters.
A B C differs from B C A
 How Many Permutations?
Mrs. PALO uses four letters of her surname
in different orders to assign computer log – in
passwords to her 20 students. Each letter
appear only once in a password.

a. How many different passwords can Mrs. Palo

create?
b. Are there enough passwords for Mrs. Palo’s
20 students?
How Many Permutations?

Choices: P, A, L, and O

1st letter 2nd letter 3rd letter 4th letter

4 3 2 1

4X3X2X1= 24
There are 24 possible log – in passwords.
4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 24 Permutations

PALO PAOL PLAO

PLOA POAL POLA
APLO APOL ALPO
ALOP AOPL AOLP
LPAO LPOA LAPO
LAOP LOPA LOAP
OPAL OPLA OAPL
OALP OLPA OLAP
Generalization

There are 4! ways to

arrange 4 letters.

There are n! ways to

arrange n items.
Permutation Formula
In how many ways may r items be
selected out of a set of n items where
order matters?
Permutation Formula

n!
n Pr  P ( n, r ) 
(n  r )!

n Pr
= number of permutations
that can be made with n
things taken r at a time.
 Permutation Example

Arranging 3 items out of a set of 5.

No. of events = 3
No. of poss. outcomes = 5
Event 1 Event 2 Event 3

5 4 3

5x4x3= 60 permutations
Calculate the following:

a)7P7
b)7P3
c)8P5
Special Cases:

P
a) n 1 = n

Examples:
3P1 = 3
5P1 = 5
Special Cases:

P = n(n-1)/ n 2 -n
b) n 2

Examples:
3P2 = 6
5P2 = 20
Special Cases:

c) nP3 = n(n-1)(n-2)
3 2
/ n -3n +2n
Examples:
6P3 = 120
5P3 = 60
Special Cases:

P
d) n 0 = 1
Examples:
3P0 = 1
5P0 = 1
Special Cases:

P
e) n n = n!
Examples:
3P3 = 3! = 6
5P5 = 5! = 120
 Special Cases:

f) n! = n(n-1)(n-2)...1
Examples:
3P3 = 3x2x1 = 6
5P5 = 5x4x3x2x1 = 120
Try this!

The racing club organizes a race in

which five cars A,B,C,D and E
joined.

a) How many possible results if there are no ties?

b) In how many ways can the first two positions be
filled if there are no ties?
Answer:

a) How many possible results if

there are no ties?

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5

5 4 3 2 1

5x4x3x2x1= 120
Answer:

b) In how many ways can the first two

positions be filled if there are no ties?

Event 1 Event 2

5 4
5x4= 20
Answer this!
The exponent book store is reducing the
prices of math books for promotion. The
store has 7 Algebra books, 5 Geometry
books, and 4 Statistics books to be
arranged on a shelf. How many ways can
these books be arranged on a shelf if books
of the same kind are to be placed beside
each other?

7! x 5! x 4! x 3! = 87,091,200
 4 boys and 3 girls are to be seated
in a row of 8 chairs:
In how many ways can 4 boys and 3 girls can be
seated ? 5,040
In how many ways can the 4 boys and 3 girls be
seated alternately? 144
In how many ways can 4 boys and 3 girls be
seated if the boys are to be seated together, and
the girls are also to be seated together? 288
CIRCULAR PERMUTATIONS

A special case of permutation where the

arrangement of things are in circular
pattern.

Formula:
Circular Permutation: Key ring:
(n  1)!
( n  1)! 2
Example:

In how many ways can:

a) 5 persons be seated around a

circular table?
b) 5 keys be arranged in a key ring?
Permutations with Repetitions

The number of permutations of n things

where a things are alike, b things are alike
and c things are alike, and so forth, is:

n!
P
a!b!c!
 Example:

Find the number of distinguishable

permutations of the letters in the word:

POP Solution:
Total no. of letters = 3
3!
P’s = 2
2!
Selecting Exactly 3 Winners

Here is your opportunity to shine.

Calculate it yourself!
Example:

Find the number of distinguishable

permutations of the letters in the word:

a) Basketball
b) heterogeneous
 Answer the problems:

How many 3 – digit numbers composed of

different numbers be formed from 0, 2,3,5 and
6? 60
In how many ways can 5 people be seated in a
row? 120
In how many ways can 8 people be arranged in
a round table? 5,040
 Answer the following:

How many ways can the letters of the word

CIRCUIT be arranged? 1,260
In how many ways can 8 keys be arranged in a
key ring? 2,520
How many ways can 8 people line up for
registration? 40,320
 Answer the following:

There are 7 finalists for a math contest, and

medal will be given to the top 3 finalists. How
many ways are there for the medal winners to be
selected? 210
The open mind band has 20 songs to perform in
a concert. At the upcoming battle of the bands,
they will play 2 songs. In how many different
orders can they perform two of their songs? 380
 Answer the following:

What is your teacher’s full name and birthday?

A photographer is taking a picture of a bride and
a groom together with six sponsors. How many
ways can he arrange eight people in a line if the
bride and groom stand together? 10, 080
There’s no place like home!

Click to Return