Chapter

Combinations

The module teaches unordered selection, complement counting, position choices, basic identity proofs, and first nonconsecutive-selection problems.
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Theory

Key Idea

A combination is a selection of objects without regard to order. If the order of selection is not part of the answer, sequential counting usually overcounts. The number of ways to choose \(k\) objects from \(n\) is denoted by \(\binom{n}{k}\).

In olympiad combinatorics, combinations are more than a formula. They encode objects: positions of ones, vertices of a polygon, boundaries of a rectangle, elements of a subset, or places for dividers.

Basic Facts

  • \(\binom{n}{k}\) is the number of ways to choose \(k\) objects from \(n\), ignoring order.
  • \(\binom{n}{k}=\binom{n}{n-k}\): choosing \(k\) objects is the same as choosing the \(n-k\) objects not taken.
  • Pascal's identity: \(\binom{n}{k}=\binom{n-1}{k}+\binom{n-1}{k-1}\).
  • Complement counting: “at least one” is often counted as all cases minus cases without the property.
  • Choosing nonconsecutive elements often reduces by shifting: replace \(a_1<\cdots

When to Use This Method

  • You need to choose a team, subset, positions, vertices, or a collection of objects.
  • The order of choice does not matter.
  • The problem says “exactly \(k\)”, “at least \(k\)”, or “at least one”.
  • You need to prove a combinatorial identity by counting the same collection in two ways.

How to Recognise the Method

If an object is completely determined by a set of chosen elements, use combinations. If it is determined by positions of special symbols, choose positions. If the condition says “not consecutive”, write the chosen numbers as \(a_1<\cdots

If a formula looks algebraic, ask: what does the left-hand side count, and what does the right-hand side count?

Typical Mistakes

  • Counting ordered choices when order does not matter.
  • Forgetting to subtract forbidden cases in “at least” problems.
  • Using the combination formula without saying what is being chosen.
  • Confusing choosing \(k\) objects with partitioning objects into groups.
  • In nonconsecutive selection problems, forgetting the required gaps.

Mini-Checklist

  • Is one answer a set or an ordered list?
  • Which elements are being chosen?
  • Can the complement be counted?
  • If there is a “not adjacent” condition, where are the required gaps?
  • If proving an identity, what common object do both sides count?
  • Do we need to split by the number of objects of different types?

Examples

Example 1. Choosing Without Order

A team does not depend on the order of selection.

Problem. In how many ways can \(3\) students be chosen from \(8\)?

Solution.

If we choose in order, we get \(8\cdot7\cdot6\), but each team of three is counted \(3!\) times. Therefore the answer is \(8\cdot7\cdot6/3!=56\).

Comment. This is \(\binom{8}{3}\).

Example 2. Complementary Choice

Sometimes it is easier to choose what remains.

Problem. In how many ways can \(4\) books be chosen from \(10\) if one specified book must be chosen?

Solution.

The specified book is already chosen. We must choose \(3\) more books from the remaining \(9\). Answer: \(\binom{9}{3}=84\).

Comment. There is no need to consider the position of the specified book.

Example 3. At Least One Girl

Complement counting shortens casework.

Problem. From \(5\) boys and \(4\) girls, a team of \(3\) is chosen. How many teams contain at least one girl?

Solution.

There are \(\binom{9}{3}=84\) teams in total. Teams with no girls: \(\binom{5}{3}=10\). Therefore the answer is \(84-10=74\).

Comment. The words “at least” often suggest complement counting.

Example 4. Pascal's Identity

The same set can be counted according to whether a special element is present.

Problem. Prove \(\binom{n}{k}=\binom{n-1}{k}+\binom{n-1}{k-1}\).

Solution.

Choose a \(k\)-element subset from an \(n\)-element set and fix one element \(x\). Either \(x\) is not chosen: then choose all \(k\) elements from the other \(n-1\). Or \(x\) is chosen: then choose the remaining \(k-1\) from the other \(n-1\). This gives the identity.

Comment. This proof is more memorable than the formula.

Example 5. Positive Solutions

Dividers encode distribution.

Problem. How many positive solutions does \(x+y+z=10\) have?

Solution.

First put \(1\) into each variable. There remain \(7\) units to distribute among \(3\) variables. This is encoded by two dividers among \(9\) positions, so the answer is \(\binom{9}{2}=36\).

Comment. One may also think of a string of ones and two dividers.

Example 6. No Consecutive Numbers

A shift removes the required gaps.

Problem. How many \(3\)-element subsets of \(\{1,\ldots,10\}\) contain no consecutive numbers?

Solution.

Let the chosen numbers be \(a_1

Comment. This is the standard technique for forbidding adjacency.

Example 7. Sum by Number of Girls

Split by the type of selected objects.

Problem. How many teams of \(4\) can be chosen from \(6\) boys and \(5\) girls if the team must contain exactly \(2\) girls?

Solution.

Choose \(2\) girls from \(5\) and \(2\) boys from \(6\). These choices are independent. Answer: \(\binom{5}{2}\binom{6}{2}=10\cdot15=150\).

Comment. Typical selection from two groups.

Example 8. A Small Theorem on Comparable Subsets

Combinations help us understand layer sizes.

Problem. Why do any \(7\) subsets of a four-element set contain two subsets one of which contains the other?

Solution.

All \(16\) subsets can be split into \(6\) inclusion chains: one long chain from \(\varnothing\) to the full set, three chains of length \(3\), and two singleton chains in the middle layer. By the pigeonhole principle, \(7\) chosen subsets hit the same chain twice, and any two sets in a chain are comparable.

Comment. This previews future ideas about chains and antichains.

Problems

Problems

#3.1
#3.1

Two from Five

Combinations Grade 7 Grade 8 ★☆☆☆☆

In how many ways can \(2\) students be chosen from \(5\)?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P001
Difficulty: Level 1 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.2
#3.2

Nonempty Choice

Complement method Grade 7 Grade 8 ★☆☆☆☆

How many nonempty subsets does a set of \(4\) elements have?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P002
Difficulty: Level 1 of 5
Tag: Complement method
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.3
#3.3

Three from Seven

Combinations Grade 7 Grade 8 ★☆☆☆☆

How many \(3\)-element subsets does a set of \(7\) elements have?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P003
Difficulty: Level 1 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.4
#3.4

Choose or Exclude

Combinations Grade 7 Grade 8 ★☆☆☆☆

Explain why \(\binom{10}{3}=\binom{10}{7}\).

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P004
Difficulty: Level 1 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.5
#3.5

Positions of Ones

Binary strings Grade 7 Grade 8 ★☆☆☆☆

How many binary strings of length \(6\) contain exactly two ones?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P005
Difficulty: Level 1 of 5
Tag: Binary strings
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.6
#3.6

Two Girls and One Boy

Combinations Grade 7 Grade 8 ★★☆☆☆

From \(5\) girls and \(4\) boys, a team of \(3\) is chosen with exactly \(2\) girls. How many choices are there?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P006
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 7, Grade 8
#3.7
#3.7

At Least Two Girls

Casework Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

From \(5\) girls and \(4\) boys, a team of \(4\) is chosen. How many teams contain at least two girls?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P007
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Casework
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.8
#3.8

Diagonals of a Polygon

Combinations Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

How many diagonals does a convex \(12\)-gon have?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P008
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.9
#3.9

At Least One Top Student

Combinations Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

In a group of \(10\) students, \(3\) are top students. In how many ways can a team of \(4\) be chosen so that it contains at least one top student?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P009
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.10
#3.10

Three Nonconsecutive Numbers

Combinations Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

How many \(3\)-element subsets of \(\{1,2,\ldots,10\}\) contain no consecutive numbers?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P010
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.11
#3.11

Identical Balls

Stars and Bars Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

How many nonnegative solutions does \(x+y+z=8\) have?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P011
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Stars and Bars
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.12
#3.12

Positive Solutions

Stars and Bars Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

How many positive solutions does \(x+y+z=10\) have?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P012
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Stars and Bars
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.13
#3.13

Pascal's Identity

Identity Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

Prove combinatorially that \(\binom{n}{k}=\binom{n-1}{k}+\binom{n-1}{k-1}\).

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P013
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Identity
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.14
#3.14

Choosing from Two Groups

Identity Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

Prove that the number of ways to choose \(3\) people from \(m\) boys and \(n\) girls is \(\binom{m}{3}+\binom{m}{2}\binom{n}{1}+\binom{m}{1}\binom{n}{2}+\binom{n}{3}\).

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P014
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Identity
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.15
#3.15

Six Nonconsecutive Numbers

Combinations Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

How many \(6\)-element subsets of \(\{1,\ldots,12\}\) contain no consecutive numbers?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P015
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.16
#3.16

At Least One Multiple of \(5\)

Complement method Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

How many \(4\)-element subsets of \(\{1,\ldots,20\}\) contain at least one multiple of \(5\)?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P016
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Complement method
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.17
#3.17

More Boys Than Girls

Casework Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

From \(6\) boys and \(5\) girls, a team of \(5\) is chosen. How many teams have more boys than girls?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P017
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Casework
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.18
#3.18

Triangles from Points

Combinations Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

There are \(9\) marked points on a circle. How many triangles with vertices among these points can be formed?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P018
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.19
#3.19

Distribution with Minimums

Stars and Bars Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

How many nonnegative integer solutions does \(x+y+z=12\) have if \(x\ge2\), \(y\ge3\)?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P019
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Stars and Bars
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.20
#3.20

At Least Three Red

Casework Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

There are \(10\) red and \(8\) blue balls. In how many ways can \(5\) balls be chosen with at least \(3\) red balls?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P020
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Casework
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#3.21
#3.21

A Diagonal Sum in Pascal's Triangle

Identity Grade 9 ★★★★☆

Prove combinatorially that \(C(r,r)+C(r+1,r)+\cdots+C(n,r)=C(n+1,r+1)\).

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P021
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Identity
Grade: Grade 9
#3.22
#3.22

Five Numbers Without Adjacency and with One

Combinations Grade 9 ★★★★☆

How many \(5\)-element subsets of \(\{1,\ldots,15\}\) contain \(1\) and contain no consecutive numbers?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P022
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Combinations
Grade: Grade 9
#3.23
#3.23

Team with Minimums

Casework Grade 9 ★★★★☆

From \(8\) boys and \(7\) girls, a team of \(6\) is chosen. How many teams have at least \(2\) boys and at least \(2\) girls?

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P023
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Casework
Grade: Grade 9
#3.24
#3.24

Seven Subsets of a Four-Element Set

Pigeonhole principle Grade 9 ★★★★★

Prove that among any \(7\) subsets of \(\{1,2,3,4\}\), there are two such that one contains the other.

Details
Problem: COM-B1-M03-P024
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Pigeonhole principle
Grade: Grade 9

Ladders

No published ladders were found.
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