Combination

4.2   Combination
 
Combination
     
    When choosing an object from a set where positions or arrangements are not important.    
     
 
  • Comparing permutation and combination:
 
Permutation Combination
     
 

Process of arranging objects where order and sequence are taken into consideration

 
       
       
 

Process of selection without considering the order and sequence of the objects

 
       
 
  • Determining the number of combinations of \(r\) objects chosen from \(n\) different objects at a time:
     
   \(_{n}C_{r} = \dfrac{_{n}P_{r}}{r!} = \dfrac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}\)   
     

 

Remark
       
 

Combination can be written as

\(_{n}C_{r} \text{ or }\dbinom{n}{r}\) and

\(_{n}C_{r} \) is also known as binomial coefficient.

 
     
 
 
Contoh
         
 
(a)

Find the number of triangles that can be formed from the vertices of a hexagon.

   
(b)

Encik Samad wants to choose three types of batik motifs from four organic motifs and five geometrical motifs.

Find the number of ways to choose at least one organic motif and one geometrical motif.

   
   
Solution:
   
(a)

Hexagon has six vertices.

To form a triangle, any three vertices are required.

So, the number of ways is

\(\begin{aligned} _{n}C_{r} &= \dfrac{6!}{3!(6-3)!} \\\\ &=\dfrac{6!}{3!3!}\\\\ &=20 \end{aligned}\)

   
(b)

Number of ways to choose two organic motifs and one geometric motif,  \(_{4}C_{2} \times \ _{5}C_{1}\)

Number of ways to choose one organic motif and two geometric motifs,  \(_{4}C_{1} \times \ _{5}C_{2}\)

So, the number of ways

\((_{4}C_{2} \times \ _{5}C_{1}) + (_{4}C_{1} \times \ _{5}C_{2}) = 70 \)