What is the Difference Between Permutation and Combination?

3 minute read
10 shares

The difference between permutation and combination is that permutation considers order, like arranging letters in a word (CAT vs TAC are different). Whereas, combination focuses on the selection itself, like choosing fruits for a smoothie (apple-banana is the same as banana-apple). 

What is Permutation?

A permutation is like rearranging objects in a line. Order matters! Think decorating: placing a lamp before a plant (lamp-plant) is different from a plant lamp.  This is unlike combinations, where order doesn’t count (picking fruits for a basket). (68 words)This table lists the concepts of permutations, emphasizing their significance, special cases, and a real-life example to show their application

DefinitionPermutation is a process of selecting different items where the order of selection matters. It’s the number of ways of arranging some or all items of a given set.
Importance of OrderThe order is crucial for permutations. For example, in a PIN like 7986, the sequence 7896 is distinct from 9867.
ExampleFor a set {a, b, c}, all permutations are:abc,acb, bac,bca , cab, CBA
Real-life ExampleCalculating the number of different 4-card hands from a deck of cards where the order matters.

Must Read: Ratio and Proportion Questions and Answers

What is Combination?

A combination is like picking things for a bag: order doesn’t matter. For instance, picking apple-banana is the same as banana-apple in your lunch bag. The table below lists the definition and examples related to combination to make this concept easier for you.

What are Combinations?Selections made by taking some or all of a number of objects, irrespective of their arrangements.
Combinations as Selections
The order of selection matters, not the arrangement.
Examples– Selecting letters from a word. – Forming pairs from a group of people. – Selecting objects from a given set.

Must Read: Logarithm Questions and Answers

What is the Difference between Permutation and Combination

This table provides a clear comparison between permutation and combination based on various aspects such as purpose, order, number of results, representation, formulas, and real-life applications.

AspectPermutation
Combination
PurposeArrangement order matters
Order is irrelevant, selection matters
OrderConsiders sequence/order of elements
Does not consider sequence; focuses on selection
Number of ResultsCan result in multiple arrangementsYields only one result for a particular selection
RepresentationRepresents ordered setsRepresents unordered sets
Real-life ApplicationsSeating arrangements, official seating plans
Forming teams, committees
ExampleDetermining possible seating arrangementsFinding possible team combinations

Permutation and Combination Formulas 

Permutation and combination are the ways to select certain objects from a group of objects to form subsets with or without replacement. Here we have stated the most important Permutation and Combination Formulas :

Permutation and Combination Formulas 

Application of Permutation and Combination Real Life

Real-life applications include password combinations, seating arrangements, lottery numbers, team formations, and arranging books on shelves efficiently. Additional real-life applications of Permutation and Combination are stated below:

  • Permutations help with order-dependent choices. Imagine dressing up: if shirt and pants matter (permutation), there are more options than just choosing two clothes (combination).
  • Permutations come in handy when order is important. Arranging tasks in a to-do list, or scheduling meetings for different time slots, all benefit from permutation calculations.
  • Combinations are important for secret codes. The order you type digits in a PIN or lock code matters (combination), unlike choosing flavors for a smoothie (permutation).
  • Permutations are key in games where order decides the winner. From finishing positions in a race (permutation) to picking lottery numbers (combination), both concepts play a role.
  • Both permutations and combinations are used in probability calculations. This applies to things like cybersecurity, where understanding how many key combinations exist helps assess hacking difficulty.
Difference Between Variance and DeviationDifference Between Covariance and Correlation
Difference Between Pound and Kilogram
Difference Between Marginal Cost and Average CostDifference Between Differentiation and Integration
Difference Between Parallel and Perpendicular
Difference Between Qualitative Analysis and Quantitative AnalysisDifference Between Variance and Deviation
Difference Between Pound and Kilogram

FAQ’s

What is the main difference between permutation and combination?

Permutation considers order, while combination does not. Permutation results in distinct arrangements, while combination focuses on selections.

What is permutation and combination with an example?

Use permutation for ordered arrangements (e.g., seating). Use combination for selections without order preference (e.g., committees).

How do you know when to use permutation or combination?

Permutation involves ordered arrangements, yielding distinct outcomes. Combination focuses on selections, disregarding order for similar outcomes.

This was all about the “Difference Between Permutation and Combination”.  For more such informative blogs, check out our Study Material Section, you can learn more about us by visiting our  Indian exams page.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *

*

*