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Difference Between Permutation and Combination

Last updated on August 26, 2017 by Surbhi S

permutation vs combinationIn mathematics, you might have heard the notions of permutation and combination end number of times, but have you ever imagined that these two are different concepts? The fundamental difference between permutation and combination is the order of objects, in permutation the order of objects is very important, i.e. the arrangement must be in the stipulated order of the number of objects, taken only some or all at a time.

As against this, in the case of a combination, the order does not matter at all. Not only in mathematics but in practical life too, we go through with these two concepts regularly. Although, we never notice it. So, take a read of the article carefully, to know how these two concepts are different.

Content: Permutation Vs Combination

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Example
  5. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonPermutationCombination
MeaningPermutation refers to the different ways of arranging a set of objects in a sequential order. Combination refers to several ways of choosing items from a large set of objects, such that their order does not matters.
OrderRelevantIrrelevant
DenotesArrangement Selection
What is it?Ordered elementsUnordered sets
AnswersHow many different arrangement can be created from a given set of objects?How many different groups can be chosen from a larger group of objects?
DerivationMultiple permutation from a single combination.Single combination from a single permutation.

Definition of Permutation

We define permutation as different ways of arranging some or all the members of a set in a specific order. It implies all the possible arrangement or rearrangement of the given set, into distinguishable order.

For example, All possible permutation created with letters x, y, z –

  • By taking all three at a time are xyz, xzy, yxz, yzx, zxy, zyx.
  • By taking two at a time are xy, xz, yx, yz, zx, zy.

Total number of possible permutations of n things, taken r at a time, can be calculated as:

permutation

Definition of Combination

The combination is defined as the different ways, of selecting a group, by taking some or all the members of a set, without the following order.

For example, All possible combinations chosen with letter m, n, o –

  • When three out of three letters are to be selected, then the only combination is mno
  • When two out of three letters are to be selected, then the possible combinations are mn, no, om.

Total number of possible combinations of n things, taken r at a time can be calculated as:

Combination

Key Differences Between Permutation and Combination

The differences between permutation and combination are drawn clearly on the following grounds:

  1. The term permutation refers to several ways of arranging a set of objects in a sequential order. Combination implies several ways of choosing items from a large pool of objects, such that their order is irrelevant.
  2. The primary distinguishing point between these two mathematical concepts is order, placement, and position, i.e. in permutation characteristics mentioned above does matter, which does not matter in the case of the combination.
  3. Permutation denotes several ways to arrange things, people, digits, alphabets, colours, etc. On the other hand, combination indicates different ways of selecting menu items, food, clothes, subjects, etc.
  4. The permutation is nothing but an ordered combination while Combination implies unordered sets or pairing of values within specific criteria.
  5. Many permutations can be derived from a single combination. Conversely, only a single combination can be obtained from a single permutation.
  6. Permutation answers How many different arrangements can be created from a given set of objects? As opposed to the combination which explains How many different groups can be picked from a larger group of objects?

Example

Suppose, there is a situation where you have to find out the total number of possible samples of two out of three objects A, B, C. In this question, first of all, you need to understand, whether the question is related to permutation or combination and the only way to find this out is to check whether the order is important or not.

If the order is significant, then the question is related to permutation, and possible samples will be, AB, BA, BC, CB, AC, CA. Where, AB is different from BA, BC is different from CB and AC is different CA.

If the order is irrelevant, then the question is related to the combination, and the possible samples will be AB, BC and CA.

Conclusion

With the above discussion, it is clear that permutation and combination are different terms, which are used in mathematics, statistics, research and our day to day life. A point to remember, regarding these two concepts is that, for a given set of objects, permutation will always be higher than its combination.

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Comments

  1. Prathmesh says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    Nicely explained

    Reply
  2. Lodith Crujido Sempron says

    February 3, 2021 at 11:28 am

    thank you

    Reply
  3. RPA arman says

    March 11, 2021 at 8:44 am

    Thank You for this very nice explanation.

    Reply
  4. Hilary says

    March 16, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    You are the best

    Reply
  5. Gabriel Emmanuel says

    August 31, 2022 at 8:58 am

    Thanks for this it has been helpful to me

    Reply

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