# a combinations/permutations question

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• Mar 27th 2013, 10:45 AM
flashylightsmeow
a combinations/permutations question
Hi all, another post...this question is confusing me.
I know there are 50 ways to select the first employee, then 49 ways for the 2nd.. so 50P2 or 50 x 49 =2450

Now I'm not sure how to deal with the remaining 48 as they all go into one group and since order doesnt matter isn't the calculation just 48C48 = 1

So I think the answer is simply 50P2 x 48C48 = 2450

But I also think I'm wrong! Please help!

many thanks!
• Mar 27th 2013, 12:27 PM
Plato
Re: a combinations/permutations question
Quote:

Originally Posted by flashylightsmeow
Hi all, another post...this question is confusing me.
I know there are 50 ways to select the first employee, then 49 ways for the 2nd.. so 50P2 or 50 x 49 =2450
Now I'm not sure how to deal with the remaining 48 as they all go into one group and since order doesnt matter isn't the calculation just 48C48 = 1
So I think the answer is simply 50P2 x 48C48 = 2450
But I also think I'm wrong! Please help!

It is really neither combinations nor permutations.
It is simply applying the principle of multiplication.
There are 50 ways to come first and 49 ways to come second.
$(50)(49)=~?$
• Mar 28th 2013, 04:01 AM
flashylightsmeow
Re: a combinations/permutations question
2450! Awesome thanks Plato!