Question 1
From a group of 12 people, a committee of 6 is to be formed. If 2 specific people must be in the committee, in how many ways can the committee be formed?
Step-by-Step Solution:
Concept: Combination with mandatory inclusion constraint.
Given:
- Total people: 12
- Committee size: 6
- Must include: 2 specific people
Strategy: Fix the mandatory selections first, then choose remaining from available pool.
Analysis:
We need to select 6 people total, with 2 already fixed.
- Fixed positions: 2 (these specific people are already in)
- Remaining positions to fill: 6 - 2 = 4
- People available for remaining positions: 12 - 2 = 10
Step 1 - Fix Mandatory Members:
2 specific people must be included: C(2,2) = 1 way
(This is automatic - we have no choice here)
Step 2 - Select Remaining Members:
Choose 4 people from remaining 10 people:
C(10,4) = 210
Calculation:
C(10,4) = (10)! / [4! × (6)!]
= 3628800 / [24 × 720]
= 210
Alternative Approach - Verification:
Think of it as: "We've used 2 spots, now choose 4 more from 10 remaining"
Related Problem Types:
1. Must EXCLUDE specific people:
Select all 6 from remaining 12 - (people to exclude)
2. At least one specific person:
Total ways - Ways without that person
= C(12,6) - C(12-1,6)
3. Exactly k from group A, rest from group B:
C(|A|,k) × C(|B|,6-k)
Common Error: Don't forget to reduce both the total pool and the selection size by the number of mandatory inclusions.
Answer: 210 ways
Concept: Combination with mandatory inclusion constraint.
Given:
- Total people: 12
- Committee size: 6
- Must include: 2 specific people
Strategy: Fix the mandatory selections first, then choose remaining from available pool.
Analysis:
We need to select 6 people total, with 2 already fixed.
- Fixed positions: 2 (these specific people are already in)
- Remaining positions to fill: 6 - 2 = 4
- People available for remaining positions: 12 - 2 = 10
Step 1 - Fix Mandatory Members:
2 specific people must be included: C(2,2) = 1 way
(This is automatic - we have no choice here)
Step 2 - Select Remaining Members:
Choose 4 people from remaining 10 people:
C(10,4) = 210
Calculation:
C(10,4) = (10)! / [4! × (6)!]
= 3628800 / [24 × 720]
= 210
Alternative Approach - Verification:
Think of it as: "We've used 2 spots, now choose 4 more from 10 remaining"
Related Problem Types:
1. Must EXCLUDE specific people:
Select all 6 from remaining 12 - (people to exclude)
2. At least one specific person:
Total ways - Ways without that person
= C(12,6) - C(12-1,6)
3. Exactly k from group A, rest from group B:
C(|A|,k) × C(|B|,6-k)
Common Error: Don't forget to reduce both the total pool and the selection size by the number of mandatory inclusions.
Answer: 210 ways