Thinking Mathematically (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321867327
ISBN 13: 978-0-32186-732-2

Chapter 11 - Counting Methods and Probability Theory - 11.2 Permutations - Exercise Set 11.2 - Page 702: 66

Answer

Does not make sense.

Work Step by Step

A permutation from a group of items occurs when no item is used more than once and the order of arrangement makes a difference. The number of permutations possible if $r$ items are taken from $n$ items is ${}_{n}P_{r}=\displaystyle \frac{n!}{(n-r)!}$. ------------------------ There is no specific wording in the text indicating that order (in which the favorite players are chosen), matters. If the players were to be chosen in, say, order of preference, then the statement would make sense, because we would be dealing with permutations, and the formula ${}_{n}P_{r}=\displaystyle \frac{n!}{(n-r)!}$ would apply. As the text stands, order is not important, we are not dealing with permutations, and the formula does not apply.
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