Combination

Definition of Combination

• A combination is an arrangement of objects in which  order does not matter.

 

Examples of Combination

• There are 3 books on a shelf, a Math (M) book, a Science (S) book, and a French (F) book. John wants to take any 2 books out.

The possibilities are: MS   MF

    SM   SF

    FM   FS

Remove the repetitions SM, FM, FS as they are the same as MS, MF, and SF. Now, we are left with only 3 possibilities and they tell us the combinations of books that John can probably take out.

Solved Example on Combination

Find the number of possibilities of picking a ball from 3 balls.

Choices:

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 0

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Step 1: The possibility of picking one ball from three balls is .

Related Terms for Combination

• Arrangement of Objects

Additional Links for Combination

• Click here for samples
• Back to Mathematics Dictionary