document.write( "Question 59864: I do not understand how to tell when to use combination and when to use permutation. The word problem is: Jack has seven frozen meals in his freezer. How many ways can he choose to have them for dinner Sunday through Saturday? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #41082 by funmath(2933) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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I do not understand how to tell when to use combination and when to use permutation.
\n" ); document.write( "You use permutations when order is important, like how many ways to have a phone number, social security number or liscence plate number, committee members who are president, vice pres, treas., or secr..
\n" ); document.write( "You use combinations when order is not important like lottery numbers, committee members (all of equal standing), cards.
\n" ); document.write( "The word problem is: Jack has seven frozen meals in his freezer. How many ways can he choose to have them for dinner Sunday through Saturday?
\n" ); document.write( "You don't need either for this problem, but you can use permutations because you are concerned with the order of the meals.
\n" ); document.write( "There are 7 chices the first day, 6 the second, 5 the third, 4 the fourth, 3 the fifth, 2 the sixth, and 1 the last.
\n" ); document.write( "7*6*5*4*3*2*1=7!= 5040 <---counting method (if I remember the terminology correctly)
\n" ); document.write( "7 nPr 7=5040 <---permutation
\n" ); document.write( "Happy Calculating!!! \n" ); document.write( "

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