10

Mathematics
Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Combinations
Mathematics – Grade 10
Quarter 3 – Module 2: Combination
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or
office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.
Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from
their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim
ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Emery E. Aquino
Editor:
Reviewer:
Layout Artist: Emery Aquino
Management Team:
Josephine L. Fadul – Schools Division Superintendent
Melanie P. Estacio - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Christine C. Bagacay – Chief – Curriculum Implementation Division
Maria Fe D. Sibuan – Education Program Supervisor – Mathematics
Lorna C. Ragos - Education Program Supervisor
Learning Resources Management

Inilimbag sa Pilipinas ng __________________________________________

Department of Education – Region XI
Office Address: F. Torres St., Davao City
Telefax: (082) 291-1665; (082) 221-6147
E-mail Address: [email protected] * [email protected]
 10

Math
Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Combinations
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our
dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at
home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each
lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide
you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson
prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on
lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on
completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or
your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson.
At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to
self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each
activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher
are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and
reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based
learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks
on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in
answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions
carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in
answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult
your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.

ii
 Let Us Learn!

In the previous module, you solved problems involving permutations

which correspond to arrangement of objects. In this module, you will learn
lesson on combinations which corresponds to selection of things in which
order of arrangement doesn’t matter.

This module has two lessons:

• Lesson 1: Combinations
• Lesson 2: Solving Problems Involving Combinations

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Illustrate the combination of objects.

(M10SP-IIIc-1)

2. Differentiate permutations from combination of n objects taken r at a

time.
(M10SP-IIIc-2)

3. Calculate the combination of n objects taken r at a time.

4. Solve problems involving combinations.

(M10SP-IIId-e-1)
Lesson

1 Combinations

Let Us Try!

Let us find out how much you already know about the topic for today.
Solve for what is asked in each item and choose the answer among the
choices.

1. Which of the following situations illustrates combination?

a. Arranging books in a shelf
b. Entering the PIN of ATM card
c. Winning in a contest
d. Picking 3 marbles out of 10 marbles from a box.

2. Which of the following situations does NOT illustrate combination?

a. Choosing 5 questions to answer out of 10.
b. Matching shirts and pants.
c. Forming a committee of Brigada Volunteers
d. Forming plate numbers of vehicles

3. Calculate C(5,3)?
a. 5 b. 10 c. 15 d. 20

4. If C(n,5) = 6, what is n?
a. 5 b. 6 c. 7 d. 8

5. If C(6,r) = 20, then r = ____.

a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

Let Us Study

Study the task below and identify which situations are order or
arrangement important and which are not.
 1. Assigning seats to students
2. Entering the PIN of ATM card
3. Picking 2 balls out of 5 balls from a box
4. Matching blouses and skirts
5. Forming plate numbers of vehicles
6. Forming a committee of 3 members from 10 people

In the activity that you have just done, situations 1, 2, and 5 are
examples of permutations in which order of arrangements are important
(recall your previous lesson on Module 1) while situations 3, 4 and 6 are
examples of combinations in which order of arrangements are not
necessary.

The next activity will provide you with more illustrative examples that
will improve your skills in calculating the combination of n objects taken r
at a time.

• The number of combinations of n different objects taken r at a time is

denoted and defined , as follows

𝑛!
C (n,r) = , n≥r≥0
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!

Examples:

4!
1. C (4,4) = Take note that 0!=1
4! ( 4 − 4)!
4! For easy solving, you
= may cancel common
4!0! numbers found both in
4 x3x 2 x1 the numerator and in
=
4 x3x 2 x1x1 the denominator.
Example:

C (4,4) = 1 4 x3x 2 x1
=1
4 x3x 2 x1x1
4!
2. C (4,1) =
1! ( 4 − 1)!
4!
=
1!3!
4 x3 x 2 x1
=
1x3 x 2 x1
C (4,1) = 4
 5!
3. C (5,3) =
3!(5 − 3)!

5!
=
3!2!
5 x 4 x3x 2 x1
=
3 x 2 x1x 2 x1
C (5,3) = 10

5!
4. C (5,5) =
5! (5 − 5)!

5!
=
5!0!
5 x 4 x3x 2 x1
=
5 x 4 x3x 2 x1x1
C (5,5) = 1

5!
5. C (5,1) =
1!(5 − 1)!

5!
=
1!4!
5 x 4 x3 x 2 x1
=
1x 4 x3 x 2 x1
C (5,1) = 5

Based on the given examples:

• Combination of n objects taken all at a time is C (n,n) = 1

• Combination of n objects taken one at a time is C (n,1) = n
 Let Us Practice

A. Tell whether each statement in the 1st column is a

permutation or combination. Draw in the 2nd column if it is
permutation and if it is combination.

STATEMENT
or

1. Three students pose for picture taking.

2. Opening a combination lock

3. Forming a committee of 4 members from 15 Grade
10 learners.
4. Picking 5 marbles from a box of 10 marbles.

5. Assigning seats to learners.

6. Selecting 3 questions to answer out of 10 questions
in a quiz.
7. Choosing 5 learners in your class to join the Math
Quiz Show.
8. Determining the top three winners in a Math Quiz
Bee.
9. Forming triangles from 6 given points with no three
of which are collinear.
10. Plate numbers of the vehicles.

B. Calculate the combination of the following using the formula below

𝒏!
C (n,r) = , n≥r≥0
𝒓!(𝒏−𝒓)!

1. C(4, 3)

2. C(5, 2)

3. C (6, 6)

4. C( 7, 4)

5. C( 10, 5)
 Let Us Practice More

Very good! You made it this far. Let us continue rolling!

Answer the activity below.

Activity : WHAT IS IT?

What is the medical term for low blood sugar?

For you to answer the question, solve for the unknown in each item
found in the table. Then look for your answers in the Code Key and write the
letter corresponding to your answer on the boxes above the item numbers in
the table that follow. The letters you correctly formed will answer the given
trivia question.

ITEM NO. FIND THE UNKNOWN CODE KEY

1. C (2,1)= ? P 2

2. C ( 3,2) = ? L 1

3. C (4, 2) = ? H 20

4. C (5,4) = ? M 4

5. C (8,1) = ? A 10

6. C (6,3) =? Y 6

7. C (?, 7) = 1 G 5

8. C (?,1) = 4 O 9

9. C (?,2) = 45 E 8

10. C (9,?) = 1 I 7

11. C(15,?)=15 C 3

CODE
KEY
ITEM
6 3 1 10 4 11 3 2 5 8 7 9
NO.
 Let Us Remember

Awe-inspiring! Now, let us gather what we have learned.

Below is the generalization/summary of the concepts involved in

this lesson. Fill in the missing word / letter / number.

A combination is a way of selecting items from a collection where

the order of selection does not matter.

➢ The ___________of n objects taken r at a time is denoted by C (__,

___)
___!
C (__,__) = , n≥r≥0
___!(𝑛−𝑟)!

where:
___ = number of combination
___ = the total number of objects in the set
___ = the number of choosing objects from the set.

• C (n, n) = ___

• C (n, 1) = ___

Let Us Assess

Answer the questions below. This serves as your evaluation.

1. Which of the following situations illustrates combination?

a. Opening a combination lock
b. Assigning seats to learners
c. Picking 5 balls out of 10 balls from a box.
d. Determining the top three winners in Math Quiz Bee

2. Which of the following situations does NOT illustrate combination?

a. Listing the elements of subsets of a given set
b. Three students posing for pictures.
c. Selecting 4 DAMATH players out of 8 students
d. Forming a committee of 3 frontliners from 10 health workers
 3. Calculate C(6,2)?
a. 6 b. 9 c. 12 d. 15

4. If C(n,1) = 8, what is n?
a. 7 b. 8 c. 9 d. 10

5. If C(7,r) = 21, then r = ____.

a. 3 b. 4 c. 5 d. 6

Let Us Enhance

Answer the problems below. This serves as enrichment activity.

1. If a = C(5,4), b = C(6,3) and c = C(7,6), arrange a, b and c from

greatest to smallest.
a. a, b, c c. b, c, a
b. b, a, c d. c, b, a

2. If C (n,r) = 70, which of the following are possible values of n and r?

a. n = 7, r=5 c. n = 9, r=5
b. n = 8, r=4 d. n = 10, r=7
3. Which of the following expressions represents the number of ways, if 5
balls will be picked from a basket containing 8 balls?
a. C ( 8, 5) c. P(8, 5)
b. C (5, 8) d. P (5, 8)

4. Calculate the number of ways given in Item No. 3.

5. In how many ways can a committee consisting of 2 members be

formed from 6 people?

Let Us Reflect

In this lesson, combination was discussed including its real-life

situations. You were also given the opportunity to differentiate combination
from permutation. Now that you have learned the basic ideas about
combination, let us deepen your understanding and study the next section
in solving problems involving combinations.
Lesson
Solving Problems
2 Involving Combinations

Let Us Try!

Let us find out how much you already know about the topic for today.
Solve for what is asked in each item and choose the answer among the
choices.

1. In how many ways can a committee consisting of 3 members be

formed from 6 people?
a. 12 b. 15 c. 18 d. 20

2. Teacher Em has 10 colored pens that are all unique. She wants to
pick 4 colored pens and give them to her best friend. How many
different combinations of colored pens can Teacher Em make from 10
pens?
a. 200 b. 210 c. 220 d. 240

3. If there are 7 teams in a basketball tournament and each team must

play every other team in the eliminations, how many elimination
games will there be?
a. 7 b. 14 c. 21 d. 28

4. How many polygons can be possibly formed from 5 distinct points on

a plane, no three of which are collinear?
a. 16 b. 14 c. 12 d. 10

5. In how many ways can a committee of 4 be formed from 6 junior high

school students and 5 senior high school students if the committee
must have exactly 3 junior high school students?
a. 120 b. 100 c. 80 d. 64
 Let Us Study

Study the illustrative examples below on how to solve word

problems involving combinations.

Example 1:

In how many ways can a teacher choose three Math quizzers from
among the five learners?

Solutions:
• By Listing:

Let Ana, Bea, Cathy, Danna and Em are the 5 learners

Ana, Bea and Cathy Ana, Danna and Em

Ana, Bea and Danna Bea, Cathy and Danna
Ana, Bea and Em Bea, Cathy and Em
Ana, Cathy and Danna Bea, Danna and Em
Ana, Cathy and Em Cathy, Danna and Em

There are 10 possible ways

• By using the Combination Formula:

Combination of 5 learners taken 3 at a time

𝑛!
C(n, r) = where n=5;r=3
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!
5!
C(5,3) =
3!(5−3)! For easy solving,
5! you may cancel
=
3!2! common
5 x 4 x3 x 2 x1 numbers found
=
3 x 2 x1x 2 x1 both in the
20 numerator and in
= the denominator.
2
C(5,3) = 10

Therefore, there are 10 possible ways can a teacher chooses

three Math quizzers from among the five learners.
Example 2:

How many combinations can the seven colors of the rainbow are
arranged into groups of five colors each?

Solutions:

• By Listing:

The seven rainbow colors have an acronym of ROYGBIV. These are

red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. These will be grouped into
5 colors.

ROYGB ROYIV RYGBI OYGBI YGBIV

ROYGI ROGBI RYGBV OYGBV
ROYGV ROGBV RYGIV OYGIV
ROYBI ROGIV RYBIV OYBIV
ROYBV ROBIV RGBIV OGBIV

There are 21 combinations.

• By using the Combination Formula:

Combination of 7 colors taken 5 at a time
𝑛!
C(n, r) = where n=7;r=5
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!

7!
C(7,5) = 5!(7−5)!
For easy solving,
7! you may cancel
= common
5!2!
numbers found
both in the
7 x6 x5 x 4 x3x 2 x1
= numerator and in
5 x 4 x3x 2 x1x 2 x1 the denominator.

42
=
2
C(7,5) = 21

Therefore, there are 21 combinations can the seven colors of

the rainbow arranged into five colors.
Example 3:

Tagum City Sports Development Department holds a volleyball

tournament and there are 6 participating teams. If each team must play
every other team in the eliminations, how many elimination games will there
be?

By Listing:

Let A, B, C, D, E and F are the 6 participating teams. Among the

6 teams, 2 teams will be played at a time

AB AF BF DE
AC BC CD DF
AD BD CE EF
AE BE CF

There are 15 eliminations games

• By using the Combination Formula:

Combination of 6 participating teams taken 2 at a time
𝑛!
C(n, r) = where n=6;r=2
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!

6!
C(6,2) = 2!(6−2)!
For easy solving,
you may cancel
6!
= common
2!4! numbers found
both in the
6 x5 x 4 x3x 2 x1 numerator and in
= the denominator.
2 x1x 4 x3x 2 x1

30
=
2
C(6,2) = 15

Therefore, there are 15 eliminations games.

Example 4.

How many polygons can be possibly formed from 7 distinct points on a

plane, no three of which are collinear?

Solutions:

A polygon is a closed figure with at least 3 sides and 3 vertices. If there

are 7 distinct points on a plane with no three of which are collinear, then
the polygon may have 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 vertices.

Thus, the number N of possible polygons is:

From 7 distinct points,
N = C(7,3) + C(7,4) + C(7,5) + C(7,6) + C(7,7) -C(7,3) is the
7! 7! 7! 7! 7! combination of the
= + + + + number of polygons
3!(7−3)! 4!(7−4)! 5!(7−5)! 6!(7−6)! 7!(7−7)! with 3 sides
- C(7,4) with 4 sides
- C(7,5) with 5 sides
7! 7! 7! 7! 7! - C(7,6) with 6 sides
= + + + + - C(7,7) with 7 sides
3!4! 4!3! 5!2! 6!1! 7!0!

7 x6 x5 x 4! 7 x6 x5 x 4! 7 x6 x5! 7 x6! 7!
= + + + +
3x 2 x1x 4! 4! x3x 2 x1 5! x 2 x1 6! x1 7! x1
• Take note that 0! = 1
= 35 + 35 + 21 + 7 + 1 • For easy solving, you may cancel
common numbers and factorials
N= 99 possible polygons found both in the numerator and
in the denominator.

Example 5.

In how many ways can a committee of 6 students be chosen from 7

seniors and 5 juniors if there must be 4 seniors in the committee?

Solution:

Since 6 students will be chosen from 7 seniors and 5 juniors provided

that there must be 4 seniors in the committee. Thus the number N of
possible ways is:
N= C(7,4) x C(5,2) • C (7,4) refers to combination of 7
seniors taken 4 at a time. 7 stands for
7! 5! 7 available seniors to choose from and
= x 4 stands for 4 seniors needed in a
4!(7−4)! 2!(5−2)!
committee.
7! 5! • C(5,2) refers to combination of 5
= x
4!3! 2!3! juniors taken 2 at a time. 5 stands
for 5 available juniors to choose from
7𝑥6𝑥5𝑥4! 5𝑥4𝑥3! and 2 stands for 2 juniors since there
= x
4!𝑥3𝑥2𝑥1 2𝑥1𝑥3! are 6 students in a committee of
which 4 are seniors, with that 6
= (35) (10) students minus 4 seniors equals 2
juniors.
N= 350 ways

Based on the given illustrative examples:

• C (n,n) = 1
C (4,4) = 1 , C (7,7) = 1
• C (n,1) = n
C (4,1) = 4 , C (7,1) = 7
• C (n, n-1) = n
C (4,3) = 4 , C (7,6) = 7
• 0! = 1

Let Us Practice

Read and analyze the given situations and fill in the needed data
represented by a question mark to solve for N which is the answer to what is
asked in the problem.

1. In how many ways can a committee consisting of 4 members be

formed from 7 people?

Let N = number of ways

7! 7! 7𝑥6𝑥5𝑥4𝑥3𝑥2𝑥1
N= C ( 7, ?) = = = = ?
?!(7−?)! ?!3! ?
2. PTA Federation holds a basketball tournament and there are 10
participating schools. If each team will play every other team in the
eliminations, how many elimination games will there be?

Let N = number of elimination games

10! 10! 10𝑥9𝑥8𝑥7𝑥6𝑥5𝑥4𝑥3𝑥2𝑥1

N= C( 10, __) = = = = ?
?!(10−?)! 2!?! ?

3. How many polygons can be possibly formed from 6 distinct points on

a plane, no three of which are collinear?
Let N = number of polygons

N= C(6,3) + ? + ? + ?

6!
= + ? + ? + ?
3!(6−3)!

6!
= + ? + ? + ?
3!3!

6𝑥5𝑥4𝑥3!
= + ? + ? + ?
3𝑥2𝑥1𝑥3!

= 20 ? + ? + ?

N = ?

4. In how many ways can a committee of 5 students be chosen from 3

girls and 6 boys if there must be 4 boys in the committee?

Let N = number of ways

N= C(?,4) x C(3,?)

?! 3!
= x
4!(?−4)! ?!(3−?)!
 ?! 3!
= x
4!2! ?!_?_!

? 3𝑥2!
= x
4!𝑥2𝑥1 ?

= ? x ?

N= ?

Let Us Practice More

Solve the following problems.

1. In how many ways can a coach choose 5 players from among 8

players?

2. Five friends want to play chess and they agreed that each of them
plays everyone else. How many games will they have to play?

3. How many polygons can be possibly formed from 8 distinct points on

a plane, no three of which are collinear?

4. In how many ways can a committee of 7 members is to be formed from

6 Grade 9 learners and 5 Grade 10 learners if there must be 3 Grade
10 learners in the committee.

Let Us Remember

Awesome! Now, let us gather what we have learned.

Below is the generalization/summary of the concepts involved in

this lesson. Fill in the missing word or words / letter.

• An arrangement of objects in which the order is not important is

called a _________________________.
 • The combination of ___ objects taken ____ at a time is written as
C(n,r).
𝑛!
C (n,r) = , n≥r≥0
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!

___________ ___________

__

• C (n,n) = __
• C (n,1) = __
• C (n, n-1) = __
• 0! = __

Let Us Assess
Answer the questions below. This serves as your evaluation.

1. Barangay Maasahan has 9 health workers. A group of frontliners

consisting of 4 persons has to be formed. In how many ways can the
group be formed?
a. 126 b. 130 c. 136 d. 140

2. A teacher must pick 3 cookery students from a class of 20 to help

prepare and serve food during the School Foundation Day. How many
choices are possible?
a. 1,100 b. 1,110 c. 1,120 d. 1,140

3. If there are 6 teams in a volleyball tournament during the School

Intramural Day and each team must play every other team in the
elimination round. How many elimination games will there be?
a. 9 b. 12 c. 15 d. 18

4. How many polygons can be possibly formed from 4 distinct points on

a plane, no three of which are collinear?
a. 4 b. 5 c. 6 d. 7
5. From a group of 6 men and 8 women, 5 persons are to be selected to
form a committee so that exactly 4 men are there in the committee. In
how many ways can it be done?
a. 120 b. 100 c. 80 d. 64
 Let Us Enhance
Answer the problems below. This serves as enrichment activity.

1. In a certain family gathering, the host makes sure that each member
shake hands with everyone else. If there are 12 persons, how many
handshakes will be done?

2. You just got a free ticket for a Ferris Wheel ride, and you can bring
along 2 friends. Unfortunately, you have 9 friends who want to come
along. How many different groups of friends are possible?

3. In a group of 4 male and 6 female teachers, 3 teachers are to be

selected. In how many many different ways can they be selected such
that at least one male teacher should be there.
a. 42 b. 50 c. 72 d. 100

Let Us Reflect

This lesson discussed about combinations and their applications in

real life. You were given the opportunity to perform useful activities to
further understand the topic and solve related real-life problems. You
applied your knowledge on how the concept of combinations helps in
solving real-life problems and in formulating conclusions and making
wise decisions. Your understanding of this lesson, combined with other
previously learned Mathematics concepts will help you understand the
next lesson which is on probability.
Answer Key to Activities

Lesson 1:
Lesson 2:
 References

Callanta et. al. (2015). Mathematics Grade 10 Learner’s Module (First

Edition).Pasig City, Philippines: Rex Bookstore

Para samgakatanungan o puna, sumulat o tumawagsa:

Department of Education – Region XI (DepEd- XI)

F. Torres St., Davao City

Telefax: (082) 291-1665; (082) 221-6147

Email Address: [email protected] * [email protected]