User:Saul/algebra

Combinations and Permutations

Permutations/Pick

A permutation is a sequence where the order does matter.
This is often notated by n pick r where n is the data set - say 40 lotto balls and r is the selection count - say 8 balls.
The general formulae for permutations is:
P = n! / (n-k)!

Combinations/Choose

A combination is a sequence where the order does NOT matter.
This is often notated by n choose r - n and r mean the same thing as in pick.
The general formulae for combinations is:
C = n! / ((n-k)!k!)
Also note that:
n choose k is the same as n choose (n - k)