SAT Math: Permutations and Combinations
11+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
These questions test basic counting principles, not advanced combinatorial formulas.
- 2
The "Fundamental Counting Principle": If you have 3 shirts and 4 pants, you have 3 * 4 = 12 total outfits.
- 3
If order matters (arranging people in a line), it's a permutation: 5 people in 3 chairs is 5 * 4 * 3 = 60.
- 4
If order DOESN'T matter (picking a team of 3 from 5), you must divide by the number of ways to arrange the chosen group (3! = 6). So 60 / 6 = 10.
- ✗ Applying the permutation logic (order matters) to a combination scenario (choosing a committee where order doesn't matter).
- ✗ Adding the options (3 + 4 = 7 outfits) instead of multiplying them.
SAT-style practice
A restaurant offers a meal consisting of 1 appetizer, 1 main course, and 1 dessert. If there are 4 appetizers, 6 mains, and 3 desserts available, how many different meal combinations are possible?
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