Permutation and combination advanced concepts is one of the most important and frequently tested topics in quantitative aptitude for competitive exams. It is asked in almost every major exam including CAT, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Bank PO, Bank Clerk, Railway RRB and CSAT. A strong understanding of these advanced concepts, formulas and tricks is essential for scoring well in these exams. This post covers number of integral solutions using multinomial theorem, special cases of integral solutions, application of multinomial in permutation with repetition, inclusion exclusion principle and dearrangement concept — all explained with clear formulas and solved examples.
Number of Integral Solution
The formal expression of binomial theorem is as follows:
⦿ (1 + x)ⁿ = 1 + ⁿC₁ x +ⁿC₂ x² + ⁿC₃ x³ + ⁿC₄ x⁴ + ……….
now understand multinomial theorem:-
∴ Coefficient of xʳ in (1-x)⁻ⁿ
= ⁿ ⁺ ʳ ⁻¹Cᵣ
& Since we know that ⁿCᵣ = ⁿCₙ₋ᵣ
∴ ⁿ ⁺ ʳ ⁻¹Cᵣ = ⁿ ⁺ ʳ ⁻¹C₍ₙ ₊ ᵣ ₋ ₁₎ – ᵣ
= ⁿ ⁺ ʳ ⁻¹Cₙ₋₁
Example:-
⦿ Coefficient of x¹⁰ in (1-x)⁻ⁿ = ¹⁰⁺⁽ⁿ⁻¹⁾Cₙ₋₁
⦿ Coefficient of x¹⁵ (1-x)⁻ⁿ = ¹⁵⁺ⁿ⁻¹Cₙ₋₁
⦿ Coefficient of x⁸ in (1-x)⁻ⁿ = ⁸⁺⁽⁵⁻¹⁾C₅₋₁ = ¹²C₄
(Q). Find the coefficient of x⁶ in ((1+x)¹⁰ + 10x³ + 6x⁶)
⦿ n identical objects can be distributed among r person in
So distribution of n identical object among r person & number of integral solution of equation x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ + ……….. + xᵣ = n
where x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅,……….xᵣ ≥ 0
have the same solution which is
Using Multinomial theorem to find the number of non-negative integral solution of equation
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ + ……….. + xᵣ = n
(Q). Find the number of non-negative integral solution of x + y + z = 20
Solution-
x + y + z = 20 x≥0
y≥0
z≥0
= ²⁰⁺²C₂
= ²²C₂ Answer
method(2):S= coefficient of p²⁰ in (p⁰ + p¹ + p² + …….. p²⁰)³
= coefficient of p²⁰ in (1 + p¹ + p² + …….. p²⁰ + p²¹ + p²² + …….. ∞)³
= coefficient of p²⁰ in \({\left( {\frac{1}{{1 – p}}} \right)^3}\)
= coefficient of p²⁰ in (1-p)⁻³
= ²⁰ ⁺ ⁽³⁻¹⁾C₃₋₁
=²²C₂ Answer
(Q). Find number of positive integral solution of x + y + z = 20
Solution:-
x + y + z = 20 x≥ 1
y≥ 1
z≥1
Method (2):-
Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p¹ + p² + p³ …….. p²⁰)³
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p + p² + p³ + …….. p²⁰+ ……..∞)³
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in \({\left( {\frac{p}{{1 – p}}} \right)^3}\)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in p³(1-p)⁻³
= Coefficient of p¹⁷ in (1-p)⁻³
= ¹⁷⁺⁽³⁻¹⁾C₍₃₋₁₎
= ¹⁹C₂ Answer
(Q). Find the number of non-negative integral solution of a + b + c + 4d = 20
Solution:-
a + b + c + 4d = 20 20≥a≥0
20≥b≥0
20≥b≥0
5≥b≥0
Method(1):
a + b + c + 4d = 20
⦿ d = 0 ⟹ a + b + c = 20 ⟹ ²²C₂
⦿ d = 1 ⟹ a + b + c = 16 ⟹ ¹⁸C₂
⦿ d = 2 ⟹ a + b + c = 12 ⟹ ¹⁴C₂
⦿ d = 3 ⟹ a + b + c = 8 ⟹ ¹⁰C₂
⦿ d = 4 ⟹ a + b + c = 4 ⟹ ⁶C₂
⦿ d = 5 ⟹ a + b + c = 0 ⟹ ²C₂
Hence Answer = ²²C₂ + ¹⁸C₂ + ¹⁴C₂
+ ¹⁰C₂ + ⁶C₂ + ²C₂
= 231 + 153 + 91 + 45 + 15 + 1
=536 Answer
Method(2):
a + b + c + 4d = 20
⟹ a + b + c = 20 – 4d
Let d be a contant k where 5≥k≥0
∴ a + b + c = 20 – 4k 5≥k≥0
= ²²C₂ + ¹⁸C₂ +¹⁴C₂ + ¹⁰C₂ + ⁶C₂ + ²C₂
= 536 Answer
Methode(3): Using multinomial theorem:-
Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p⁰ + p¹ + p² + p³ …….. + p²⁰)³(p⁰ + p⁴ + p⁸ + p¹² + p¹⁶ + p²⁰)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in (1 + p + p² + p³ …….. + p²⁰ + ……….∞)³ (p⁰ + p⁴ + p⁸ + p¹² + p¹⁶ + p²⁰)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in \({\left( {\frac{1}{{1 – p}}} \right)^3}\) (p⁰ + p⁴ + p⁸ + p¹² + p¹⁶ + p²⁰)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in (1-p)⁻³ (p⁰ + p⁴ + p⁸ + p¹² + p¹⁶ + p²⁰)
= ²²C₂ + ¹⁸C₂ + ¹⁴C₂ + ¹⁰C₂ + ⁶C₂ + 1
= 536 Answer
(Q). Find number of non-negative integral solution of inequality
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ ≤ 20
Solution:-
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ + k = 20 where 20≥k≥0
when k=0 then x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ = 20
when k=1 then x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ = 19
when k=2 then x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ =18
⋮ ⋮
⋮ ⋮
⋮ ⋮
⋮ ⋮
when k=20 then x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ = 0
So on depending value of k (20≥k≥0)
value of expression automatically becomes
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ ≤ 20
⇓
Hence number of intergral solution = ⁵⁺²⁰C₅ = ²⁵C₅ Answer
(Q). Find Number of integral solution off equation
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ = 20
;where x₁≥2
x₂≥4
x₃≥0
x₄≥6
Solution:-
Method(1):
Method(2): Using Multinomial theorem:-
Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p² + p³ + p⁴ + ……… + p²⁰)(p⁴ + p⁵ + p⁶ + ……… + p²⁰)(p⁰ + p¹ + p² + p³ + …….. + p²⁰)(p⁶ + p⁷ + p⁸ + ….. + p²⁰)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p² + p³ + p⁴ + …….. + ∞)(p⁴ + p⁵ + p⁶ + ……… ∞)(p⁰ + p¹ + p² + p³ + …….. ∞)(p⁶ + p⁷ + p⁸ + ….. ∞)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in \(\left( {\frac{{{p^2}}}{{1 – p}}} \right)\left( {\frac{{{p^4}}}{{1 – p}}} \right)\left( {\frac{1}{{1 – p}}} \right)\left( {\frac{{{p^6}}}{{1 – p}}} \right)\)
=Coefficient of p²⁰ in p¹²(1-p)⁻⁴
= Coefficient of p⁸ in (1-p)⁻⁴
=⁸⁺³C₃
= ¹¹C₃ Answer
(Q). Find number of non-negative integral solution of
a + b + c + d + e + f = 30
a + b + c = 17
Solution:-
(Q). There are two sections A & B and there are 16 intermediate stations between A & B. A train is going from station A toward station B. In how many ways train can stop at 4 stations if no two stations should be consecutive. Train can take stoppage at any of these A, B & 16 intermediate stations.
Solution:-
(Q). There are 18 chairs. These chairs are to be occupied by 4 students. Find the number of possible arrangement if:-
(i) No two students sit side-by-side.
(ii) There should be atleast 3 empty chairs between any two students.
Solution:-
(i)
(Q) There are unlimited number of balls of colours Red, Green, Blue & White. They are all alike except for colour. In how many ways 20 balls can be selected?
Solution:-
(Q). Let a student can score maximum 100 marks in physics, chemistry & math each. Then find the number of ways in which he can score a total of 170 marks while getting atleast 50 marks in each subjects. Only integral marks are allowed.
Solution:-
P + C + M = 170
100≥P≥50
100≥C≥50
100≥M≥50
Using Multinomial theorem
(Q). In the above question if the total numbers (marks) required are 240.
Solution:-
Coefficient of x²⁴⁰ in \({\left[ {\frac{{{x^{50}}(1 – {x^{51}})}}{{(1 – x)}}} \right]^3}\)
= Coefficient of x²⁴⁰ in x¹⁵⁰(1-x⁵¹)³(1-x)⁻³
= Coefficient of x⁹⁰ in (1-x⁵¹)³(1-x)⁻³
= Coefficient of x⁹⁰ in (1 – 3x⁵¹ + 3x¹⁰² – x¹⁵³)(1-x)⁻³
✅ ✅
= ⁹⁹C₂ – 3.⁴¹C₂ Answer
(Q). In how many ways a batman can score 20 runs out of six balls if he can score 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 runs at a particular ball?
Solution:-
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ + x₆ = 20
6≥x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅, x₆≥0
∴ Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p⁰ + p¹ + p² + p³ + p⁴ + p⁵ + p⁶)⁶
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in \({\left[ {\frac{{(1 – {p^7})}}{{(1 – p)}}} \right]^6}\)
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in (1 – p⁷)⁶(1 – p)⁻⁶
= ²⁵C₅ – ⁶C₁×¹⁸C₅ + ⁶C₂×¹¹C₅ Answer
(Q). a+b+c+d+e+f = 20; find the number of integral solution of this equation
If 10≥a≥5
b, c, d, e≥0
Solution:-
Method (2):
Coefficient of p²⁰ in (p⁵ + p⁶ + p⁷ + p⁸)( p⁷ + p⁸ + p⁹ + p10)(p⁰ + p¹ + p² + p³ + ……. + p²⁰)⁴
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in p⁵(1 + p + p² + p³).p⁷.(1 + p + p² + p³)(1 + p + p² + p³+ …….. p²⁰)⁴
= Coefficient of p²⁰ in p¹²(1 + p + p² + p³)²((1 + p + p² + p³ + ……… + p²⁰)⁴
= Coefficient of p⁸ in \({\left[ {\frac{{1 – {p^4}}}{{1 – p}}} \right]^2}{\left[ {\frac{1}{{1 – p}}} \right]^4}\)
= Coefficient of p⁸ in (1-p⁴)²(1-p)⁻⁶
= Coefficient of p⁸ in (1-2p⁴+p⁸)(1-p)⁻⁶
= ¹³C₅ – 2×⁹C₅ + 1
= 1036 Answer
(Q). Find number of integral solution of equation
x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ + x₅ = 48
if x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅ ← evennumbers; ≥0
Solution:-
2n₁ + 2n₂ + 2n₃ + 2n₄ + 2n₅ = 48
⟹ n₁ + n₂ + n₃ + n₄ + n₅ = 24
≥0 ≥0 ≥0 ≥0 ≥0
= ²⁸C₄ Answer
Special cases of Integral Solution
case (1): a + b + c = n condition a>b>c≥0
Number of possible intergral solutions
= \(\left[ {\frac{{{n^2} + 6}}{{12}}} \right]\) where [x] → Greatest integer function
case (2): a + b + c = n condition a≥b≥c≥0
Number of possible integral solutions
= \(\left[ {\frac{{{n^2} + 6}}{{12}}} \right] + \left[ {\frac{n}{2}} \right] + 1\) where [x] → Greatest integer function
case (3): |x| + |y| = n
Number of integral solution = 4n
case (4): |x| + |y| < n
Number of integral solution ⟹ 1 + 4(1 + 2 + 3 + …… + (n-1))
case (5): |x| + |y| ≤ n
Number of integral solution ⟹ 1 + 4(1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + …….. + n)
case (6): |x| + |y| + |z| = n
Number of integral solution ⟹ 4n² + 2
case (7): |x| + |y| + |z| + |w| = n
Number of integral solution ⟹ \(\boldsymbol{\frac{{8n}}{3}.\left( {{n^2} + 2} \right)}\)
case (8): x * y = n
If n is NOT a perfect square then number of positive integral solutions = \(\frac{{\left( {number\;of\;factors\;of\;n} \right)}}{2}\)
& number of total integral solutions = 2*(number of positive integral solutions)
= 2*\(\frac{{\left( {number\;of\;factors\;of\;n} \right)}}{2}\)
If n is a perfect suqare
then number of positive integral solutions = \(\frac{{\left( {number\;of\;factors\;of\;n \;+\; 1} \right)}}{2}\)
total integral soluions = 2*\(\frac{{\left( {number\;of\;factors\;of\;n \;+\; 1} \right)}}{2}\)
case (9): x*y*z = n
Let n = \({a^{{p_1}}}*{b^{{p_2}}}*{c^{{p_3}}}*…………..\)
then number of ORDERED POSITIVE integral solutions =
& number of ORDERED integral solutions = 4 * number of ordered positive integral solutions
case (10): ax + by = n
⟹ First, reduce the given equation in lowest reducible form.
⟹ After reducing, if coefficients of x and y still have a factor in common, the equation will have no solutions.
⟹ if x & y are co-prime in lowest reducible form, find one solution of x. Then the other solutions can be listed as an arithmetic progression with common difference as the co-efficient of y which can be easily counted.
⟹ if equation is of the form ax+by=n then increase in x as coefficient of y will cause decrease in coefficint of y as a step of coefficient of x.
⟹ if equation is of the form ax-by=n then increase in x as a step of coefficient of y will cause an increase in coefficient of y as a step of coefficient of x.
⟹ Shortcut:→ if for ax+by=n either of a or b can divide n, then number of non negative integral solutions = \(\left[ {\frac{n}{{L.C.M.(a,b)}}} \right] + 1\)
Let us understand this concept by example:-
Example: Find positive integral solution of 2x+3y = 30
Solution:-
x = 0 ⟶ y = 10 ❌
x = 1 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{28}}{3}\) ❌
x = 2 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{26}}{3}\) ❌
x = 3 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{24}}{3}\) = 8 ✅
x = 6 ⟶ y = 6
x= 9 ⟶ y = 4
x = 12 ⟶ y = 2
x = 15 ⟶ y = 0 ❌ ⟶ not positive
So there are total 4 positive integral solutions.
& there are total 6 non-negative integral solutions of above equation as case( x=15, y=0) & (x=0, y=10) will also be counted.
Example:- Find number of positive & non-negative integral solution of equation 2x + 3y = 57
Solution:-
x = 0 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{57}}{3}\) = 19
x = 1 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{55}}{3}\) ❌
x = 2 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{53}}{3}\) ❌
x = 3 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{51}}{3}\) = 17
x = 4 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{49}}{3}\) ❌
x = 5 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{47}}{3}\) ❌
x = 6 ⟶ y = \(\frac{{45}}{3}\) = 15
x = 9 ⟶ y = 13
x = 12 ⟶ y = 11
x = 15 ⟶ y = 9
x = 18 ⟶ y = 7
x = 21 ⟶ y = 5
x = 24 ⟶ y = 3
x = 27 ⟶ y = 1
x = 30 ⟶ y = -1 ❌
Hence total number of non-negative integral solution = 10
& total number of positive integral solution = 9
Shortcut Since 57 is divisible by 3
Hence number of non-negative integral solution
= \(\left[ {\frac{{57}}{{LCM(2,3)}}} \right] + 1\)
= \(\left[ {\frac{{57}}{6}} \right] + 1\)
= 9 + 1
= 10 answer
case (11):
\(\frac{a}{x} \pm \frac{b}{y} = \frac{1}{n}\)
\(\frac{a}{x} + \frac{b}{y} = \frac{1}{n}\)
F = factors of (a*b*n²)
Total integral solution = 2F – 1
Total positive integral solution = F
Total negative integral solution = 0
\(\frac{a}{x} – \frac{b}{y} = \frac{1}{n}\)
F = number of factors of (a*b*n²)
Total integral solution = 2F – 1
Total positive integral solution = \(\frac{{(F – 1)}}{2}\)
Total negative integral solution = \(\frac{{(F – 1)}}{2}\)
Example:- Find total integral & positive solution of equation \(\boldsymbol{\frac{{16}}{x} + \frac{5}{y} = \frac{1}{3}}\)
Solution:-
F = number of factors of (16×5×3²)
= number of factors of (2⁴×3²×5¹)
F = 5×3×2
= 30
∴ total integral solution = 2F – 1 = 60 – 1 = 59
& total positive integral solution = F = 30 Answer
Example:- Find total integral, positive & negative solution of equation \(\boldsymbol{\frac{4}{x} – \frac{1}{y} = \frac{1}{5}}\)
Solution:-
F = number of factors of (4 * 1 * 5²)
= number of factors of (2² * 52)
= 3×3 = 9
∴ total integral solution = 2F – 1 = 18 – 1 = 17
total positive integral solution = \(\frac{{(F – 1)}}{2} \;=\; \frac{{(9 – 1)}}{2}\; = 4\)
total negative integral solution = \(\frac{{(F – 1)}}{2}\) = \(\boldsymbol{\frac{{(9 – 1)}}{2}}\) = 4 Answer
Application of Multinomial in Permutation with Repetition:-
⦿ Number of selection/combination of r things out of n things of which p are alike of one kind & q are alike of second kind and remaining (n-p-q) things are all different is given by
⟹ coefficient of xʳ in (1+x+x²+……..+xᵖ)(1+x+x²+……..+xᑫ){(1+x)(1+x)……… till (n-p-q) times}
⦿ The number of permutation/arrangement of r things out of n things of which p are alike of one kind & q are alike of second kind and so on……….
Example:- Let there are
p, q ━ 5
r, s ━ 4
t ━ 3
u, v, w ━ 1
then find the number of permutation/arrangement of 5 letter words selected from given letters
Solution:-
Using Multinomial theorem:-
Method(2): Listing all cases:
Example:- In how many ways 4 letters of the word ‘PARALLEL’ can be selected & how many 4 letter words can be formed?
Solution:-
L ━ 3 A ━ 2 P ━ 1 R ━ 1 E ━ 1
∴ Required number of ways sof selection:-
Example:- Find the number of 5-letter words that can be formed from the letters given below:-
p, q, r ━ 6
s, t ━ 5
u, v ━ 4
w, y ━ 3
Solution:-
Method(1):
Required number of 5-letter words:-
∴ Required number of 5-letter words:-
= 5!.coefficient of x⁵ in
equation(i).equation(ii).equation(iii).equation(iv)
Method(3):
p, q, r ━ 6
s, t ━ 5
u, v ━ 4
w, y ━ 3
Counting favourable & unfavourable cases:-
(Q) consider a word ‘EXAMINATION’. In how many ways 4 letters of this word can be selected & how many 4-letter words can be formed from this word?
Solution:-
using multinomial theorem:-
A ━ 2
I ━ 2
N ━ 2
E, X, M, T, O ━ 1
∴ required number of selection
= coefficient of x⁴ in (1 + x + x²)³ (1 + x)⁵
= coefficient of x⁴ in (1 + x² + x⁴ + 2x + 2x³ + 2x²) (1 + x + x²) (1 + x)⁵
= coefficient of x⁴ in (1 + 2x + 3x² + 2x³ + x⁴) (1 + x + x²) (1 + x)⁵
= coefficient of x⁴ in
(1 + 2x + 3x² + 2x³ + x⁴
+ x + 2x² + 3x³ + 2x⁴ + x⁵
+ x² + 2x³ + 3x⁴ + 2x⁵ + x⁶).(1 + x)⁵
= coefficient of x⁴ in (1 + 3x + 6x² + 7x³ + 6x⁴)*(1 + x)⁵
= ⁵C₄ + 3×⁵C₃ + 6×⁵C₂ + 7×⁵C₁ + 6×1
= 5 + 3×10 + 6×10 + 7×5 + 6
= 136 Answer
⦿ Now Required number of 4 – letter words:-
Hence from above table ⟹
Required number of selection = 3 + 63 + 70
= 136 Answer
& Required number of 4-letter words = 18 + 756 + 1680
= 2454 Answer
Inclusion – Exclusion principle:-
Number of ways = (Total number of ways) – (number of ways when restriction fails atleast once) + (Number of ways when restriction fails at least twice) – (Number of ways when restriction fails at least thrice) + (Number of ways when restriction fails atleast four times) – ……………..
Example:- Let a 9 digit number is to be made which should not contain digits 0, 5 and 7 & must contain digits 1, 2, 4, 8.
Solution:-
Number of ways = 7⁹ – ⁴C₁.6⁹ + ⁴C₂.5⁹ – ⁴C₃.4⁹ + ⁴C₄.3⁹
= 40353607 – 40310784 + 11718750 – 1048576 + 19683
= 10732680 Answer
De – arrangement:-
Let there are n different colour boxes & correspondingly n different colour balls.
Now we are to put these balls into boxes (one in each) such that no two colour matches.
= n! – ⁿC₁.(n – 1)! + ⁿC₂.(n – 2)! – ⁿC₃.(n – 3)! + ………(-1)ⁿ ⁿCₙ.(n – n)!
Example:- Let there are 8 addressed envelope & 8 corresponding letters. In how many ways we can put these letters in envelope (one in each) such that
(i). No letter goes to righ envelope
(ii). Exactly 3 letters are placed correctly
(iii). Exactly 3 letters are placed wrongly.
Solution:-
(i).
\(8!.\left( {1 – \frac{1}{{1!}} + \frac{1}{{2!}} – \frac{1}{{3!}} + \frac{1}{{4!}} – \frac{1}{{5!}} + \frac{1}{{6!}} – \frac{1}{{7!}} + \frac{1}{{8!}}} \right)\)
Answer
(ii). Since exactly 3 letters are placed correctly,
∴ First select 3 letters out of 8 letters. this can be done in ⁸C₃ ways & these letters can be placed correctly only 1 way.
Now remaining 5 letters are de-arranged
Hence total number of ways
= ⁸C₃.5!. \(\left( {1 – \frac{1}{{1!}} + \frac{1}{{2!}} – \frac{1}{{3!}} + \frac{1}{{4!}} – \frac{1}{{5!}}} \right)\) Answer
(iii). Since exactly 3-letters are are placed wrongly.
∴ 8 – 3 = 5 letters are placed correctly.
Hence total number of ways
= ⁸C₅.1.3! .\(\left( {1 – \frac{1}{{1!}} + \frac{1}{{2!}} – \frac{1}{{3!}}} \right)\) Answer