A permutation, also called an "arrangement number" or "order," is a rearrangement of the

elements of an ordered list into a one-to-one correspondence with itself. The number of
permutations on a set of elements is given by

Consider, four students walking toward their school entrance. How many different ways could they
arrange themselves in this side-by-side pattern?
1,2,3,4
1,2,4,3
1,3,2,4
1,3,4,2
1,4,2,3
1,4,3,2

2,1,3,4
2,1,4,3
2,3,1,4
2,3,4,1
2,4,1,3
2,4,3,1

3,2,1,4
3,2,4,1
3,1,2,4
3,1,4,2
3,4,2,1
3,4,1,2

4,2,3,1
4,2,1,3
4,3,2,1
4,3,1,2
4,1,2,3
4,1,3,2

The number of different arrangements is 24 or 4! = 4 3 2 1. There are 24 different arrangements,

or permutations, of the four students walking side-by-side.

Permutation : Permutation means arrangement of things. The word arrangement is used, if the
order of things is considered.
Combination: Combination means selection of things. The word selection is used, when the
order of things has no importance.
Example: Suppose we have to form a number of consisting of three digits using the
digits 1,2,3,4, To form this number the digits have to be arranged. Different numbers will get
formed depending upon the order in which we arrange the digits. This is an example
of Permutation.
Now suppose that we have to make a team of 11 players out of 20 players, This is an example
of combination, because the order of players in the team will not result in a change in the team.
No matter in which order we list out the players the team will remain the same! For a different
team to be formed at least one player will have to be changed.

The notation for a permutation:

n Pr
n is the total number of objects
r is the number of objects chosen (want)

The formula for a permutation:

The formula for a permutation:

(Remember that 0! = 1.)

(Note: if n = r, as it did with the students walking side-by-side, then
either formula.)

Pr = n! for

Examples:
1.

Compute:

2.

Compute:

P5

P2

5 4 3 2 1 = 120

6 5 = 30

or

multiply by two factors

of the factorial, starting with 6
3. Find the number of ways to arrange 5 objects that are chosen from a set of 7 different objects.

P 5 = 76543 = 2520

or

4. What is the total number of possible 5-letter arrangements of the letters w, h, i, t, e, if each letter is used only once
in each arrangement?

P5 = 54321 = 120

or

or

simply 5!

5. How many different 3-digit numerals can be made from the digits 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 if a digit can appear just once in a
numeral?

P3 = 543 = 60

or

Permutations with Special Arrangements:

Example: Using the letters in the word " square ", tell how many 6-letter arrangements, with no repetitions, are
possible if the :
a) first letter is a vowel.
b) vowels and consonants alternate, beginning with a consonant.
Solution:
Part a:
Hint: When working with "arrangements", it is often helpful to put lines down to represent the
locations of the items.
For this problem, six "locations" are needed for 6-letter arrangements.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
The first locations must be a vowel (u, a, e). There are three ways to fill the first location.
__3___ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
After the vowel has been placed in the first location, there are 5 letters left to be arranged in the remaining five
spaces.
__3__ __5__ __4__ __3__ __2__ __1__
3 5P5 =

or

3 120 = 360

Part b: Six locations are needed for the 6-letter arrangements.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Beginning with a consonant, every other location must be filled with a consonant. (s, q, r )
__3__ _____ __2___ _____ ___1__ _____
The remaining locations are filled with the remaining three vowels:
__3__ __3___ __2___ __2___ ___1__ ___1__ = 36