Question 1
From a group of 11 people, a committee of 6 is to be formed. If 3 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: 11
- Committee size: 6
- Must include: 3 specific people
Strategy: Fix the mandatory selections first, then choose remaining from available pool.
Analysis:
We need to select 6 people total, with 3 already fixed.
- Fixed positions: 3 (these specific people are already in)
- Remaining positions to fill: 6 - 3 = 3
- People available for remaining positions: 11 - 3 = 8
Step 1 - Fix Mandatory Members:
3 specific people must be included: C(3,3) = 1 way
(This is automatic - we have no choice here)
Step 2 - Select Remaining Members:
Choose 3 people from remaining 8 people:
C(8,3) = 56
Calculation:
C(8,3) = (8)! / [3! × (5)!]
= 40320 / [6 × 120]
= 56
Alternative Approach - Verification:
Think of it as: "We've used 3 spots, now choose 3 more from 8 remaining"
Related Problem Types:
1. Must EXCLUDE specific people:
Select all 6 from remaining 11 - (people to exclude)
2. At least one specific person:
Total ways - Ways without that person
= C(11,6) - C(11-1,6)
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: 56 ways
Concept: Combination with mandatory inclusion constraint.
Given:
- Total people: 11
- Committee size: 6
- Must include: 3 specific people
Strategy: Fix the mandatory selections first, then choose remaining from available pool.
Analysis:
We need to select 6 people total, with 3 already fixed.
- Fixed positions: 3 (these specific people are already in)
- Remaining positions to fill: 6 - 3 = 3
- People available for remaining positions: 11 - 3 = 8
Step 1 - Fix Mandatory Members:
3 specific people must be included: C(3,3) = 1 way
(This is automatic - we have no choice here)
Step 2 - Select Remaining Members:
Choose 3 people from remaining 8 people:
C(8,3) = 56
Calculation:
C(8,3) = (8)! / [3! × (5)!]
= 40320 / [6 × 120]
= 56
Alternative Approach - Verification:
Think of it as: "We've used 3 spots, now choose 3 more from 8 remaining"
Related Problem Types:
1. Must EXCLUDE specific people:
Select all 6 from remaining 11 - (people to exclude)
2. At least one specific person:
Total ways - Ways without that person
= C(11,6) - C(11-1,6)
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: 56 ways