What is a Combination?
Combination Calculator: A combination is a way of selecting items from a larger pool where the order of selection does not matter. For example, when selecting 3 people from a group of 5, the order in which the people are selected doesn't matter. This calculator helps you determine the number of possible combinations based on the total number of items and the number of items to be selected.
Result
| Combination (C) | Value |
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FAQs
1. What is a combination in mathematics?
A combination is a selection of items from a larger set where the order does not matter. For example, selecting 2 people from a group of 5 is a combination. The order in which you select them does not matter, so the selection "Alice, Bob" is the same as "Bob, Alice".
2. How is the combination formula calculated?
The combination formula is given by the equation: C(n, r) = n! / (r!(n - r)!), where n is the total number of items, r is the number of items to select, and "!" denotes factorial (the product of all positive integers up to that number).
3. What is the difference between a combination and a permutation?
The difference is in the order of selection. In a combination, the order of selection doesn't matter, while in a permutation, the order does matter. For example, selecting 2 people from a group is different when considering order (permutation) but not when considering just the group (combination).
4. How do I use the combination calculator?
To use the combination calculator, simply input the total number of items (n) and the number of items you want to select (r). The calculator will then compute the number of possible combinations using the formula C(n, r) = n! / (r!(n - r)!).
5. Can I calculate combinations for large numbers?
Yes, but it's important to note that as the values of n and r increase, the result may become very large. The calculator can handle reasonably large numbers, but for very large values, you might need to use specialized software to calculate factorials.