word problems

[patricialec]

A new computer graphics company employs 10 programmers. The company decides to expand into digital animation and needs to transfer 3 of the programmers into the new department. How many different combination of the 3 programmers can be chosen to transfer to the new department?

This is VERY tricky. I had lots of fun trying to figure this one out...H.E.L.P.... :roll: :x

 

[Denis]

It'll be a list of 3 number combos:
1,2,3
1,2,4
...
7,9,10
8,9,10

Does that help?
Does 10C3 help?

 

[patricialec]

Hi,

What is 10C3? Is there an easier way to solve this problem in addition to writing the 3 sets of numbers. How would I figure this problem out on a calculator? Do I write out all the different combination? I don't think I understand the mathematical pattern. :roll: :roll:

 

[Mrspi]

Hi,

What is 10C3? Is there an easier way to solve this problem in addition to writing the 3 sets of numbers. How would I figure this problem out on a calculator? Do I write out all the different combination? I don't think I understand the mathematical pattern. :roll: :roll:

I don't think you understand this mathematical pattern either.

You want to choose three people from ten people.

"10 C 3" means the number of combinations of 10 people, taken three at a time. (The order in which the people are chosen is not important...John, Ken, Sue is the SAME group as Sue, Ken, John)

Here's the formula for the number of combinations of "n" things taken "r" at a time:

n C r = n! / [r! * (n - r)!]

If that doesn't spark some recognition, you probably need to talk to your teacher.