combination? (1 Viewer)

underthesun

N1NJ4
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
1,781
Location
At the top of Riovanes Castle
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2010
how about a thorough explanation on the subject :D

for the word EQUATION

EUAIO QTN we get styles:

ways(2vowels) * ways(1consonant) because order is important..
+
ways(1consonant) * ways(2vowels) we repeat this again different way
+
ways(2consonant) * ways(1vowels) same thing..
+
ways(1vowels) * ways(2consonant)

maybe that explains why the answer doubles from 270?
 
Joined
Jul 22, 2002
Messages
56
Location
Wollongong
you idiots!!!

5402? 540? WHAT THE HELL!!!! (original problem)

firstly - there are 8 letters in 'equation' and youre making 3 letter words, therefore the total possibilities (not excluding anything) is

total ways = 8P3 = 336

therefore anything over 336 is obviously wrong!!!

it was a good idea to get the combinations first and then multiply by 3! for order so lets stick with that...

(method 1) if you do the following...

5c1 x 3c1 x 6c1 then its wrong!!!
(vowel) (consantant) (other)

why? because you are counting combinations twice for example, equ and uqe are counted as separate combinations (we havent considered order yet - we multiply by 3! later)

(method 2) because you cant do the above, we have to take each case separately...

exactly 1 vowel -
5c1 x 3c2 = 15
(vowel) (consanants)

exactly 2 vowels -
5c2 x 3c1 = 30
(vowel) (consanants)

therefore there are (15) + (30) 3 letter combinations which makes (45) 3 letter combinations and multiply this by 3! for the number of possible words

45 x 3! = 270

the answer is 270

you can check it because

(0 vowels) + (1 or 2 v) + (3 v) = total
3P3 + 270 + 5P3 = 8P3
6 + 270 + 60 = 336

thus 270 is correct!!!
 
Joined
Jul 22, 2002
Messages
56
Location
Wollongong
you idiots pt II !!!

as for the 2nd problem,

same strategy...

ways 2 men...
4C2 x 5C1 = 30

ways 1 man...
4C1 x 5C2 = 40

therefore: ways(at least 1 guy, 1 chick) = 30 + 40 = 70

thats the answer, 70! you dont double it because order doesnt count!!!

(2C2) the way of arranging 2 people without order is 1
(2P2) the way of arranging 2 people with order is 2
(nCn) the way of arranging n people without order is 1
(nPn) the way of arranging n people with order is n!
 

Dumbarse

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2002
Messages
423
Location
BOS moderator & operator
Originally posted by 1234567
the word equation contains five vowels, how many 3 letter words cnsisting of at least 1 vowel and i consonant can be made from the letters of equation?
ok, can someone tell me what i'm doing wrong please!??

equation 5 vowels 3 consonants

1vowel * 1consonat * any other letter

5*3*6 = 90 way

now these 3 letters can be arranged 3*2*1 ways = 6

so 90*6 = 540 ways
 

McLake

The Perfect Nerd
Joined
Aug 14, 2002
Messages
4,187
Location
The Shire
Gender
Male
HSC
2002
Re: Re: combination?

Originally posted by Dumbarse


ok, can someone tell me what i'm doing wrong please!??

equation 5 vowels 3 consonants

1vowel * 1consonat * any other letter

5*3*6 = 90 way

now these 3 letters can be arranged 3*2*1 ways = 6

so 90*6 = 540 ways
Your "any other letter" has already been counted as a constant or vowel, meaning you've counted the combo twice.

So, divide by 2!
 

Dumbarse

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2002
Messages
423
Location
BOS moderator & operator
Re: Re: Re: combination?

Originally posted by McLake


Your "any other letter" has already been counted as a constant or vowel, meaning you've counted the combo twice.

So, divide by 2!
how has it?? please explain

so what does that mean in terms of the 3 letter word>
and why divide by 2!
 

McLake

The Perfect Nerd
Joined
Aug 14, 2002
Messages
4,187
Location
The Shire
Gender
Male
HSC
2002
Re: Re: Re: Re: combination? <-- getting very long

Originally posted by Dumbarse


how has it?? please explain

so what does that mean in terms of the 3 letter word>
and why divide by 2!
OK, say I picked EXC, then I picked ECX
They're the same! (don't look at order just yet, that a different issue)

Your method counts both of these, right. So every time you pick VCL (vowel, consenet, letter) you've also picked either VCV or VCC. In other words, you've counted things twice.

Do you follow me?
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top