Question

Determine whether the description given describes a permutation or a combination.

Jocelyn is the manager of a community college softball team. The team has 16 players.
​a) Jocelyn selects 7 players for the batting order of​ today's game.
​b) Jocelyn selects 4 players to volunteer at the​ school's open house.

Answer 1

a) Permutation - the order matters. Having player A go before player B is different than have player B go before player A.

b) Combination - the order does not matter. The 4 players chosen will all to to volunteer anyways, so the order doesn’t matter.