Question

For each of the following problems, identify whether it is a permutation or combination problem, and then give the answer.

a) If there are 15 people on a baseball team, how many different 9-person batting orders can a manager make?
b) How many different 5-person squads can a basketball coach send out onto the floor with 11 people on the team?

Answer 1

See below.

Explanation:

a) Permutation because the order of the batting matters.

Answer is 15P9 = 15! / (15 - 9)!

= 1,816,214,400

b) Combination because the order of the 5 person squads does not matter.

Answer is 11C5 = 11! / 5!6!

= 462.