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2 Permutations, Combinations, and the Binomial
Theorem
2.1 Introduction
A permutation is an ordering, or arrangement, of the elements in a finite set. Of greater in- terest are the r-permutations and r-combinations, which are ordered and unordered selections, respectively, of r elements from a given finite set. The Binomial Theorem gives us a formula for (x + y)n, where n ∈ N. If you would like extra reading, please refer to Sections 5.3 and 5. 4 in Rosen.
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
- Compute the number of r-permutations and r-combinations of an n-set.
- Use the Binomial Theorem to find the expansion of (a + b)n^ for specified a, b and n.
- Use the Binomial Theorem directly to prove certain types of identities.
- Provide a combinatorial proof to a well-chosen combinatorial identity.
2.2 Overview and Definitions
A permutation π of A = {a 1 , a 2 ,... , an} is an ordering aπ 1 , aπ 2 ,... , aπn of the elements of A. Note that i 6 = j → πi 6 = πj. For example some permutations of the set A = {a, b, c, d} are a, b, c, d or d, b, c, a or d, a, c, b. There are 4! = 4· 3 · 2 ·1 = 24 such permutation. Generally, there are n! permutations of an n-element set. An r-permutation of an n-element set (or n-set) A is an ordering aπ 1 , aπ 2 ,... , aπr of some r-subset of A. There are P (n, r) of these. As an example, for the set A = {a, b, c, d} some examples of 2-set permutations of elements of A are a, b or a, c or b, c, and so on. There are P (4, 2) of those. Some examples of 3-set permutations of elements of A are a, b, c or a, c, d or b, c, a, and so on. There are P (4, 3) of those. An r-combination of an n-set A is simply an r-subset {ai 1 , ai 2 ,... , air } of A. There are C(n, r) of these. The number C(n, r) is also commonly written
(n r
, which is called a binomial coefficient. These are associated with a mnemonic called Pascal’s Triangle and a powerful result called the Binomial Theorem, which makes it simple to compute powers of binomials. The inductive proof of the binomial theorem is a bit messy, and that makes this a good time to introduce the idea of combinatorial proof. The sort of combinatorial proof that we work with here consists of arguing that both sides of an equation of two integer expressions are equal to
the cardinality of the same set. It is a powerful proof technique, and is the last one that you will learn in MA1025.
2.3 Permutations and Combinations
For integers n ≥ 0, the factorial f (n) = n! is defined by
n! =
1 , if n = 0; n(n − 1)!, if n > 0.
A permutation of an n-set is an arrangement of its elements. In such an arrangement, there are n choices for the first element, (n − 1) choices for the second element, etc., so the number of possible permutations of an n-set is n(n − 1)(n − 2) · · · (2)(1) = n!. There is little more to say about it. Of greater interest is the notion of an r-permutation of an n-set (r ≤ n). This is an ordered selection of r elements from the set. The usual notation for the number of these, if repetition is forbidden, is P (n, r), which is computed by taking the product of the first r numbers counting down from n. In other words,
P (n, r) = n(n − 1)(n − 2) · · · (n − r + 1) =
=
n(n − 1) · · · (n − r + 1)(n − r)(n − r − 1) · · · (2)(1) (n − r)(n − r − 1)(n − r − 2) · · · (2)(1)
n! (n − r)!
This is sometimes called a falling factorial.
Example 1:
(a) The number of 3-digit decimal numbers with no repeated digit (leading zeros allowed) is P (10, 3) = 720. Note that this can be obtained by the multiplication principle as well as 10 · 9 · 8 = 720. If we are taking an r-permutation of an n-set with repetition allowed, the number of such arrangements is nr. The number of 3-digit decimal numbers with repetition (and possible leading zeros) allowed is simply 10^3 = 1000. This can also be obtained by the multiplication principle as 10 · 10 · 10.
(b) Here is a commonly-encountered sort of problem. The question: how many permutations of ABCDEFGH contain the string “DEF” as a substring? There are 8! = 40, 320 arrange- ments of ABCDEFGH, but most of them don’t have DEF as a substring. The simplest approach is to treat DEF as a single “letter”. You are now counting permutations of the 6-letter string ABC(DEF)GH; there are 6! = 720 of these.
(c) Let A = {a, b, c} be a 3-set. There are P (3, 2) = 3!1! ways of permuting two elements from A, namely: (1)a, b; (2)b, a; (3)a, c; (4)c, a; (5)b, c; and (6)c, b.
Solution:
(a) If the chairman is ineligible, four committee members must be selected from the remaining eighteen faculty members. This can be done in C(18, 4) = 3060 ways. (Note that the order we pick the 4 committee members doesn’t matter, so we use C(18, 4))
(b) If exactly one member must be a woman, there are C(3, 1)C(16, 3) = 3 · 560 = 1680 ways to form the committee.
(c) All of the committees formed in (b) qualify except those in which Smith and Jones are both members. There are C(3, 1)C(14, 1) = 42 committees that both Smith and Jones can serve on, so C(3, 1)C(16, 3) − C(3, 1)C(14, 1) = 1680 − 42 = 1638 committees can be formed containing exactly one woman and at most one of the grumps.
2.4 Combinatorial Proof
The algebraic proof of the identity C(n, r) = C(n, n − r) has been presented before (see equation (2)). But there is another way, equally simple. This is called combinatorial proof. For our purposes, combinatorial proof is a technique by which we can prove an algebraic identity without using algebra, by finding a set whose cardinality is described by both sides of the equation. Here is a combinatorial proof that C(n, r) = C(n, n − r).
Proof: We can partition an n-set into two subsets, with respective cardinalities r and n − r, in two ways: we can first select an r-combination, leaving behind its complement, which has cardinality n − r and this can be done in C(n, r) ways (the left hand side of the equation). Or we can first take an (n − r)-combination, then leaving behind its complement, which has cardinality r and this can be done in C(n, n−r) ways (the right hand side of the equation). The number of possible outcomes is the same either way. It follows that C(n, r) = C(n, n − r). 2
It’s a remarkable method. It doesn’t apply in every instance, but it does add an arrow to your quiver. There are times when it is far easier to devise a combinatorial proof than an algebraic proof, as we’ll see shortly. Look for more examples of combinatorial proof in the next section.
2.5 The Binomial Theorem
It’s time to begin using the alternate notation for C(n, r), which is
(n r
. This is called a binomial coefficient, and is pronounced “n choose r”. Perhaps you recall from the beginning of the module that if x and y are variables and n ∈ N, then
(x + y)n^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
xn−kyk.
This is the Binomial Theorem. Here is a combinatorial proof.
Proof: Expanding (x + y)n, we get (x + y)n^ = (x + y)(x + y) · · · (x + y), a product of n factors. What is the coefficient on xn−kyk? Every term in the expansion is the result of choosing either the x or the y from each factor. Since the power of y is k, we need to choose the y from k factors (there are
(n k
ways to so), and to choose x from the remaining n − k factors, so it follows that the coefficient on xn−kyk^ is
(n k
Note that the coefficients on xn−kyk^ and xkyn−k^ in (x + y)n^ are the same, since
(n k
( (^) n n−k
It follows that an equivalent formulation is
(x + y)n^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
xkyn−k.
The alternative to a combinatorial proof of the theorem is a proof by mathematical induction, which can be found following the examples illustrating uses of the theorem. Example 3: We start with some straightforward applications of the theorem.
(a) What is the expansion of (x + y)^5?
(b) What is the expansion of (2x − y)^4?
(c) What is the coefficient on x^3 y^3 in (2x − 3 y)^6?
Solution:
(a) By the binomial theorem,
(x + y)^5 =
x^5 y^0 +
x^4 y^1 +
x^3 y^2 +
x^2 y^3 +
x^1 y^4 +
x^0 y^5
= x^5 + 5x^4 y + 10x^3 y^2 + 10x^2 y^3 + 5xy^4 + y^5.
(b)
(2x − y)^5 = ((2x) + (−y))^5
=
(2x)^5 (−y)^0 +
(2x)^4 (−y)^1 +
(2x)^3 (−y)^2 +
(2x)^2 (−y)^3 +
(2x)^1 (−
= 32 x^5 − 30 x^4 y + 80x^3 y^2 − 40 x^2 y^3 + 10xy^4 − y^5.
(c) The term in (2x − 3 y)^6 containing x^3 y^3 is ( 6 3
(2x)^3 (− 3 y)^3 = (20)(8x^3 )(− 27 y^3 ) = − 4320 x^3 y^3 ,
so the coefficient in question is −4320. The entire expansion of (2x− 3 y)^6 can be computed in similar fashion.
Proof: The left hand side has two factors: the first binomial coefficient is the number of ways to choose an r-subset of an n-set; the second is the number of ways to choose a k-subset from the r-set just chosen (which leaves the remaining r − k elements). The result? It’s a partition of the original n-set into subsets of cardinalities n − r, r − k, and k. We could just as well construct such a partition by first choosing the k-subset, then choosing the (r − k)-subset from the (n − k)-subset left behind. 2
Example 7: You might have seen a triangular array of binomial coefficients called Pascal’s Triangle. The practical value of the triangle is questionable, but the value of the identity that generates the coefficients therein, called Pascal’s Identity, is very useful. Pascal’s Identity states that, for all n, k ∈ Z+, ( n k
n − 1 k − 1
n − 1 k
The identity can be easily proved using a combinatorial proof: Proof: The left side of the identity is the number of k-subsets of an n-set. So suppose A is
an n-set, and let a ∈ A. A given k-subset of A either contains a, or not. There are
(n− 1 k− 1
k-subsets of A that contain a, and
(n− 1 k
k-subsets of A that do not. Together, they give all the k-subsets of an n-set, regardless if the k-subset contains a or not. 2
Before we look at the induction proof, here is one more thing we need to learn:
∑^ k−^1
j=
k j
xj^ =
∑^ k
j=
k j − 1
xj−^1.
To see this, try substituting j − 1 in for j in the expression
∑k− 1 j=
(k j
xj^. Here is the inductive proof of the Binomial Theorem. The last step in the sequence uses Pascal’s identity. The other steps involve simple manipulations of the summation indices, laws of exponents, the distributive law, etc. Recall the statement of the theorem: for all n ≥ 0 , (x + y)n^ =
∑n j=
(n j
xn−j^ yj^.
Proof: First note that (x + y)^0 = 1 = (^) 0!0!0! x^0 y^0 =
∑^0
j=
j
x^0 −j^ yj^.
For the inductive step, let k ≥ 0, and assume that (x + y)k^ =
∑^ k
j=
k j
xn−j^ yj^. Then
(x + y)k+1^ = (x + y)(x + y)k = x(x + y)k^ + y(x + y)k
= x
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk−j^ yj^ + y
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk−j^ yj
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk+1−j^ yj^ +
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk−j^ yj+
= xk+1^ +
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk+1−j^ yj^ +
∑^ k−^1
j=
k j
xk−j^ yj+1^ + yk+
= xk+1^ +
∑^ k
j=
k j
xk+1−j^ yj^ +
∑^ k
j=
k j − 1
xk+1−j^ yj^ + yk+
= xk+1^ +
∑^ n
j=
[(
k j
k j − 1
)]
xk+1−j^ yj^ + yk+
∑^ k+
j=
k + 1 j
x(k+1)−j^ yj^ ,
and the result follows by induction. 2
2.6 Exercises
For solutions, click here.
- If |A| = m and |B| = n, how many functions f : A → B are one-to-one?
- How many strings of length three over Σ = {a, e, i, o, u} have no repeated letter?
- How many strings over Σ = {a, e, i, o, u} have no repeated letter?
- What is the number of 3-element subsets of { 1 , 2 ,... , 10 }?
- Joe’s Pizzeria offers two styles of crust and the following optional toppings: extra cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, artichokes, onions, and anchovies. Joe claims that he offers over 500 different pizzas. Is this true?
- In how many ways can six hardcover and four paperback books be arranged on a shelf? In how many ways can they be arranged if no two paperbacks can be adjacent?
- What is the coefficient on x^3 y^3 in (2x − y)^6?
- Use the Binomial Theorem to show that, for any n ∈ Z, 3n^ can be expressed as a linear combination of powers of 2, with the largest exponent being n.
- Use the Binomial Theorem to prove that
∑^ n
k=
n k
= 2n.
- Use the Binomial Theorem to show that, for any n ∈ N, 3n^ can be expressed as a linear combination of powers of 2, with the largest exponent being n.
Proof: 3n^ = (2 + 1)n^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
2 k 1 n−k^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
2 k. 2
- Use the Binomial Theorem to prove that
∑^ n
k=
n k
= 2n.
Proof: 2n^ = (1 + 1)n^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
1 k 1 n−k^ =
∑^ n
k=
n k
- Use a combinatorial proof to show that
( 3 n 2
( 2 n 2
(n 2
Proof: The number on the left is the number of 2-subsets of a 3n-set. Let A be a 3n- set containing, say, 2n red and n blue elements. There are
( 2 n 2
red 2-subsets,
(n 2
blue 2-subsets, and
( 2 n 1
)(n 1
= 2n^2 mixed subsets. The result follows. 2
Exercises in Rosen in section 5.3 : 9, 11 , 13 , 17 , 19 , 21 , 23 , and 37, and in section 5.4 exercises 5 , 9 , 21 , 22 a, 28 , and 29.
Self-Quiz on Permutations, Combinations, and the Binomial Theorem
- In how many ways can we construct a license number consisting of one decimal digit followed by three uppercase alphabetical characters followed by three decimal digits?
- In how many ways can five men and five women be arranged in a line for a photograph so that men and women alternate?
- What is the coefficient on x^2 y^5 in (x + y)^7? In (x − 2 y)^7?
- Give a combinatorial proof that
3 n 3
n 3
n 2
n 1
Solution to Self-Quiz on Permutations, Combinations, and the Binomial Theorem
- In how many ways can we construct a license number consisting of one decimal digit followed by three uppercase alphabetical characters followed by three decimal digits, if no characters or digits can be repeated? Solution: The number of ways to do this is 10P (26, 3)P (9, 3) = 1026!23!9!6! = 10(26 · 25 · 24)(9 · 8 · 7) = 78624000.
- In how many ways can five men and five women be arranged in a line for a photograph so that men and women alternate? Solution: There are 5! = 120 ways to arrange the men, and 5! = 120 ways to ar- range the women. There are then two ways to interlace the two: mwmwmwmwmw and wmwmwmwmwm. The total, then, is 120^2 · 2 = 28, 800.
- What is the coefficient on x^2 y^5 in (x + y)^7? In (x − 2 y)^7?
Solution: The coefficient on x^2 y^5 in (x + y)^7 is
2
= 21. The coefficient on x^2 y^5 in (x − 2 y)^7 is
2
(−2)^5 = −672.
- Give a combinatorial proof that
3 n 3
= 3n + 6n
n 2
n 3
Proof: Suppose that we have a 3n-set, call it A. Then
3 n 3
is the number of 3−subsets of A. There many ways to proceed. Suppose that A contains n elements each of three colors, say red, blue, and green. There are 3
(n 3
ways to choose three elements of the same color. There are 3
(n 2
(n 1
= 6n
(n 2
ways to choose two elements of one color and one element of a second color. Finally, there are
(n 1
ways to choose one element of each color. The result follows. 2
Note: the assumption that A contains n elements each of three colors is only one way of forcing A to be the disjoint union of three n-sets, which in turn was dictated by the right-hand side of the identity to be proven. Had the identity been, say,
( 3 n 3
2 n 3
(n 3
( 2 n 2
(n 2
, we would have partitioned A as the union of a 2n-subset and an n-subset. (Try it!)
