Question

Create two different situations: one in which you use combinations and one in which you use permutations. Include specific details and an explanation about what makes each situation either a combination or permutation.

Answer 1

Combination:

Choose two out of three different colors of paints a color

Answer: 3x2/2 = 3 different colors

If the colors are a, b and c, the different combinations are:

ab = ba
ac = ca
bc= cb.

Permutation

Choose two out of three rectangular pieces of fabrics,each of different solid colors, to make flags with horizontal colors.

3x2 = 6.

If the colors are a, b, c the permutations are

ab
ba (they are different because the fabrics are in different positions)

ac
ca

bc
cb

Total: 6 different flags with two colors out of three available.

The first situation is a combination because the order in which you use the colors make no difference. The second one is permutation because the order makes a difference.