ACT Math : How to find permutation notation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors amazon store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #13 :Permutation / Combination

In permutation notation, what does 8P4 represent?

Possible Answers:

6720

336

1680

210

Correct answer:

1680

Explanation:

The expression 8P4 represents the number of permutations of 8 objects arranged 4 at a time. Thus, 8 x 7 x 6 x 5 = 1680

Example Question #2 :How To Find Permutation Notation

How many different ways can five books be lined up on a shelf?

Possible Answers:

100

80

120

150

60

Correct answer:

120

Explanation:

Order matters, so we use permutations: (5)(4)(3)(2)(1) = 120

There are five possibilities for the first book, four possibilities for the second book, three for the third, and two for the fourth, and one possibility for the last book.

Example Question #1 :How To Find Permutation Notation

How many different ways can cheese slices be stacked in piles containingunique types if you are presented with a selection ofdifferent cheeses? (Presume that the order of the cheese slices does matter.)

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the order matters, you are dealing with a permutation in this question. A permutation like this could be done with the equation:

For our values, this would be:

However, it is easiest just to think of this like it hasslots. Into the first, you havechoices, into the second, and so forth. This generates for you

more easily.

This is. That is a lot of cheese arrangements!

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors