Thread: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

fundamental counting principle word problems?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Vanilla16

fundamental counting principle word problems?

Please expand upon this question.
What exactly are you asking?

Oh, okay. . .

Like. . .
Juan has 6 shirts and 5 shorts. How many outfits can he make?

And . . .
How many different ways can Chloe, Brittany, Anna, Mark, and Laura stand in a row?


Could I solve both by multiplying? They seem so alike! :?

Originally Posted by Vanilla16

Juan has 6 shirts and 5 shorts. How many outfits can he make?

And . . .
How many different ways can Chloe, Brittany, Anna, Mark, and Laura stand in a row?

Juan can make thirty different outfits. That is simply the use of the multiplication property. Six ways to choose a shirt times five ways to choose shorts.

The second is

Oh, but why can't I use the same formula? They're so. . . the same-ish! LOL!

Originally Posted by Vanilla16

Oh, but why can't I use the same formula?

It is the same formula.
Five ways to start the line, four ways to choose the second in line, ect.

So I can multiply 5 by 5?