# Concept of Combinations

#### theorem

Theorem: "^n P_r= "^n C_r r!, 0 < r ≤ n.
Proof:  Corresponding to each combination of "^nC_r, we  have r ! permutations, because r objects in every combination can be rearranged in r ! ways.
Hence, the total number of permutations of n different things taken r at a time is "^nCr × r!. On the other hand, it is P n r . Thus
"^n P_r ="^n C_r * r!, 0 < r ≤ n.

#### notes

1)  From above n!/(n-r)!= "^n C_r * r!, i.e., "^n C_r= n!/[r!(n-r)!]
In particular, if r= n, "^n C_n= n!/(n!0!)= 1
2) We define "^nC_0 = 1, i.e., the number of combinations of n different things taken nothing at all is considered to be 1. Counting combinations is merely counting the number of ways in which some or all objects at a time are selected. Selecting nothing at all is the same as leaving behind all the objects and we know that there is only one way of doing so. This way we define "^nC_0 = 1.
3) As (n!)/[0!(n-0)!]= 1= "^nC_0, the formula "^n C_r= (n!)/[r!(n-r)!] is applicable for r=0 also. Hence
"^n C_r= (n!)/[r!(n-r)!], 0 < r ≤ n.
4) "^n C_n-r= (n!)/ [(n-r)! (n-(n-r))!]= (n!)/[(n-r)!r!]= "^n C_r,
i.e., selecting r objects out of n objects is same as rejecting (n – r) objects.
5) "^nC_a = "^nC_b ⇒  a = b  or a = n – b, i.e., n = a + b

#### theorem

Theorem: "^nC_r + "^nC_r-1= "^(n+1)C_r
Proof:  We have "^nC_r + "^nC_r-1= (n!)/[r!(n-r)!] + (n!)/[(r-1)!(n-r+1)!]

= (n!)/ [r*(r-1)!(n-r)!] + (n!)/[(r-1)!(n-r+1)(n-r)!]

= (n!)/[(r-1)!(n-r)!] [(1/r) + 1/(n-r+1)]

= (n!)/[(r-1)!(n-r)!] * (n-r+1+r)/[r(n-r+1)]

= (n+1)!/[r!(n+1-r)!

= "^(n+1) C_r

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Theorem: "^nC_r + "^nC_r-1= "^(n+1)C_r [00:06:31]
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