Question 580519
C(n,r) = (n!)/(r!(n-r)!)


C(55,3) = (55!)/(3!*(55-3)!)


C(55,3) = (55!)/(3!*52!)


C(55,3) = (55*54*53*52!)/(3!*52!)


C(55,3) = (55*54*53)/(3!)


C(55,3) = (55*54*53)/(3*2*1)


C(55,3) = (157410)/(6)


C(55,3) = 26235


So there are 26235 different ways to form the committee (assuming order doesn't matter; ie, each member of the committee is of the same rank)