# Math Help - What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

1. ## What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

fundamental counting principle word problems?

Thanks!

2. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

Originally Posted by Vanilla16
fundamental counting principle word problems?

3. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

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! :?

4. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

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 $5!=5\cdot 4\cdot 3\cdot 2\cdot 1=120$

5. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

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

6. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

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.

7. ## Re: What's the difference between premutations, combinations, and. . .

So I can multiply 5 by 5?