Week 2: Solving Problems Involving Permutations
After going through this module, the learner shall be able to:
1.Define the Fundamental Counting Principle;
2.Solve problems in permutations using the fundamental
counting principle;
3.Solve problems using permutations formula;
4.Define the distinct or distinguishable and circular
permutations; and
5.Solve problems using distinct or distinguishable and circular
permutations formula.
Fundamental Counting Principle Defined
Fundamental counting principle states that activity A can be done in
𝑛1 ways, activity B can be done in 𝑛2 ways, activity C in 𝑛3 ways, and
so on, then activities A, B, C can be done simultaneously in 𝑛1 × 𝑛2
× 𝑛3 … ways.
Examples:
1. A person wants to buy one fountain pen, one ball pen and one
pencil from a stationery shop. If there are 10 fountain pen
varieties, 12 ball pen varieties and 5 pencil varieties, in how
many ways can he select these articles?
2. How many ways can I arrange the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F?
3. To buy a computer system, a customer can choose one of 4
monitors, one of 2 keyboards, one of 4 computers and one of 3
printers. Determine the number of possible systems that a
customer can choose from.
4. A student can select one of 6 different mathematics books, one of three
different chemistry books and one of 4 different science books. In how
many different ways can a student select a book of mathematics, a book
of chemistry and a book of science?
5. There are 3 different roads from city A to city B and 2 different roads
from city B to city C. In how many ways can someone go from city A to city
C passing by city B?
6. A man has 3 different suits, 4 different shirts and 5 different pairs of
shoes. In how many ways can this man wear a suit, a shirt and a pair of
shoes?
7. In a company, ID cards have 5 digits numbers. How many ID cards can be
formed if repetition of the digit is allowed?
8. Using the digits 1, 2, 3, and 5, how many 4 digit numbers can be formed if the
first digit must be 1 and repetition of the digits is allowed?
9. A coin is tossed three times. What is the total number of all possible
outcomes?
10. In a certain country telephone numbers have 9 digits. The first two digits are
the area code (03) and are the same within a given area. The last 7 digits are the
local number and cannot begin with 0. How many different telephone numbers
are possible within a given area code in this country?
11. In a school, ID cards have 5 digit numbers. How many ID cards can be formed
if repetition of the digit is not allowed.
12. Using the digits 1, 2, 3, and 5, how many 4 digit numbers can be formed if
the first digit must be 1 and repetition of the digits is not allowed?
13. Two dice are rolled. What is the total number of all possible outcomes?
14. A coin is tossed and a die is rolled. What is the total number off all possible
outcomes?
15. Using the digits 1, 2, 3, and 5, how many 4 digit numbers can be formed if
the number must be divisible by 2 and repetition is allowed?
