Question
Question: If we have an expression \[^{n}{{C}_{12}}{{=}^{n}}{{C}_{6}}\], then \[^{n}{{C}_{2}}\]?...
If we have an expression nC12=nC6, then nC2?
Solution
We are given a question based on the combinations. We have an equality given to us using that we have to find nC2. We know if nCr=nCp, then we can say that either r=p or we can say that r=n−p. Using this property, we will first find the value of the ‘n’. Then, we will substitute the value ‘n’ in nC2. Hence, we will have the value of nC2.
Complete step-by-step solution:
According to the given question, we have to find the value of nC2. We are also given an equality condition, that is, nC12=nC6
We know about a certain property in combinations that, if nCr=nCp, then we can say that either r=p or we can say that r=n−p. We will be solving the given question using this property.
We will first find the value of ‘n’ and then we will proceed to find the value of nC2.
We are given that,
nC12=nC6
So, we will have r=n−p, that is,
nCn−12=nC6
We can now write,
⇒n−12=6
We will write the expression in terms of ‘n’. we get,
⇒n=12+6
⇒n=18
So, we get the value of ‘n’ as 18.
Now, we will substitute this value of ‘n’ in the expression, nC2.
We will use the formula for combinations to expand the expression, the formula is nCr=r!(n−r)!n!.
We have,
18C2=2!(18−2)!18!
Solving the expression, we get,
⇒18C2=2!16!18!
Expanding the factorial, we get,
⇒18C2=2!16!18×17×16!
Cancelling the similar factorial, we get,
⇒18C2=2×118×17
⇒18C2=9×17
⇒18C2=153
Therefore, the value of 18C2=153.
Note: The calculation of the combination solution should be done step wise and that the factorials involved should be carefully written with (!) sign. The formula of the combinations should be correctly written as well.