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Combination
- June 5, 2020
- Category: Combination
☼ COMBINATION : When we have to choose a certain number of objects from a given set of objects in such a way that the order of selection is not important, the selection is known as a combination. Consider the following example.
e.g. There were three persons in a meeting. Each person shook hands with every other person. Find the total number of ways this happened.
Soln. Let, the persons were A, B and C. They shook hand in the way : A B, A C, B C
i.e. Only three ways are possible.
In the above example, 2 persons were needed from a group of 3 persons for shake hand such a way that the order of the arrangements is not important.
( i.e. A B & B A are same. )
Now, if there were n = 3 persons and r = 2 persons were to be selected, then we could make the selection in = 3 ways.
This can also be written as = =
Number of combinations = =
■ Number of permutations = Number of combinations r ! ( i.e. = r ! )
■ = = ; 0 r n
■ = = 56, = = 792, = 5, = 1 =
■ The distinct symbols for combination = = =
■ We can find the distinct value of by Pascal triangle also
■ = & + =
e.g. (i) In a window there are m vertical and n horizontal bars. Find the number of rectangles formed. (m, n 2)
Soln. By selecting 2 vertical bars and 2 horizontal bars a rectangle can be formed.
The required no. of rectangles are =
=
=
(ii) Find the number of diagonals in a polygon of n sides (or n vertices). (n 3 )
Soln. Here, no. of sides of a polygon = n
& Total no. of line-segment joining any two points from given
n points =
The required no. of diagonals are = – No. of sides
=
= [(n – 1) – 2]
=
(iii) In how many ways can 3 mangoes and 2 apples be selected from 7 mangoes and 4 apples to form a basket of 5 fruits ?
Soln. 3 mangoes can be selected from 7 mangoes in ways and 2 apples can be selected from 4 apples in ways.
Total number of ways = = 35 6 = 210