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Permutations and Combinations appeared 40 times across 3 years — 4.6% of Mathematics. This question is from Combinatorial Power Subsets and Divisibility.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 13 19 8 40

Let S = p₁, p₂, …, p₁₀ be the set of the first ten prime numbers. Let A = S P, where P is the set of all possible products of distinct elements of S. Then the number of all ordered pairs (x, y), x in S, y in A such that x divides y, is ________.

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 5120 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

The number of subsets of a set containing n elements is given by the power set formula:

Count = 2ⁿ
Core Logic

Let's analyze the counting criteria for each choice of divisor x in S. Since S contains 10 elements, there are 10 choices for the prime number x:

Case 1: Elements belonging to \subset S For a prime x to divide an entry y in S, y must be exactly equal to x itself (since all elements in S are distinct primes). This yields exactly 1 choice for each prime x.

Step 1: Count elements belonging to product set P

For a prime x to divide an entry y in P, where y is a product of distinct primes from S, the prime x must be one of the factors included in that product.

To form such a product, x must be chosen, and the remaining factors can be selected from any combination of the other 9 primes in S. The number of ways to choose subsets from the remaining 9 primes is given by the power set formula:

Ways = 2⁹ = 512
Step 2: Combine and Evaluate Total Ordered Pairs

Sum the valid outcomes from both subsets for a single prime x:

Total choices for a fixed x = 1 + 512 = 513 ?

Wait, let's re-verify the definition of set P. P is the set of all possible products of distinct elements of S. Does P include products of single elements? If a product has only 1 element, it is just the prime itself, which is already in S.

Let's use the alternative \subset framing: an element y in A corresponds to a non-empty \subset of S whose elements are multiplied together. For a fixed prime x in S to divide y, x must be included in that \subset. The remaining elements of the \subset can be chosen in any way from the remaining 9 primes, which gives:

Total subsets containing x = 2⁹ = 512

Since there are 10 choices for the prime x, the total number of ordered pairs (x,y) is:

Total Pairs = 10 · 2⁹ = 10 · 512 = 5120
Pattern Recognition

Instead of counting the pairs by analyzing values of y first, reversing the calculation to count based on the number of choices for the divisor x simplifies the problem into a straightforward power set calculation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Permutations and Combinations Class 11 Mathematics: Sets

More Permutations and Combinations Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q25 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Words Formation
The number of 4-letter words, with or without meaning, which can be formed using the letters PQRPQRSTUVP, is _____.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 1422 to 1422

Solution

Core Logic

First, analyze the frequency of letters in PQRPQRSTUVP. P: 3 Q: 2 R: 2 S: 1 T: 1 U: 1 V: 1 Total types of distinct letters = 7 (P, Q, R, S, T, U, V). We need to form 4-letter words. We break this down into mutually exclusive cases based on letter duplication.

Step 1: Case 1 - 3 Alike, 1 Different

Only 'P' can be chosen for the 3 alike letters. (1 way: ¹C₁) The 1 different letter can be chosen from the remaining 6 distinct letters. (⁶C₁) Arrangements = (4!)/(3!) = 4 Number of words = 1 × 6 × 4 = 24

Step 2: Case 2 - 2 Alike, 2 Alike

We need to choose 2 sets of letters that each appear at least twice. Letters eligible: P, Q, R (3 options). Choose 2 sets: ³C₂ = 3 Arrangements = (4!)/(2!2!) = 6 Number of words = 3 × 6 = 18

Step 3: Case 3 - 2 Alike, 2 Different

Choose 1 set of letters to be alike from {P, Q, R}: ³C₁ = 3 Choose 2 distinct letters from the remaining 6 types: ⁶C₂ = 15 Arrangements = (4!)/(2!) = 12 Number of words = 3 × 15 × 12 = 540

Step 4: Case 4 - All 4 Different

Choose 4 distinct letters from the 7 available types: ⁷C₄ = 35 Arrangements = 4! = 24 Number of words = 35 × 24 = 840

Step 5: Final Summation

Total words = Sum of all cases = 24 + 18 + 540 + 840 = 1422

Pattern Recognition

Letter grouping requires strict combinatorial partition cases (AAAB, AABB, AABC, ABCD). Never mix selection (ⁿCᵣ) with arrangement (factorials) in the same unwritten step—do them rigorously sequentially.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Permutations and Combinations

Q15 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Distribution of Identical Objects
The number of ways, in which 16 oranges can be distributed to four children such that each child gets at least one orange, is
  • A. 429
  • B. 384
  • C. 403
  • D. 455

Solution

Related Formula

Number of positive integral solutions for equation x₁ + x₂ + + xᵣ = n is ⁿ⁻¹Cᵣ₋₁

Core Logic

Assuming oranges are identical, let x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄ be the number of oranges given to the 4 children.

x₁ + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ = 16

where x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄ ≥ 1.

Step 1: Shift Variables

Let xᵢ = xᵢ' + 1 such that xᵢ' ≥ 0.

(x₁' + 1) + (x₂' + 1) + (x₃' + 1) + (x₄' + 1) = 16 x₁' + x₂' + x₃' + x₄' = 12

The number of non-negative integral solutions is given by n+r-1Cᵣ₋₁, where n = 12, r = 4.

¹²⁺⁴⁻¹C₄₋₁ = ¹⁵C₃
Step 2: Calculate Combinations
¹⁵C₃ = (15 × 14 × 13)/(3 × 2 × 1) = 5 × 7 × 13 = 35 × 13 = 455
Pattern Recognition

Standard "stars and bars" problem. "At least one" means we use ⁿ⁻¹Cᵣ₋₁. Here ¹⁶⁻¹C₄₋₁ = ¹⁵C₃ directly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Permutations and Combinations

Q25 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Combinatorics
Let S denote the set of 4-digit numbers abcd such that a > b > c > d and P denote the set of 5-digit numbers having product of its digits equal to 20. Then n(S) + n(P) is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 260 to 260

Solution

Related Formula

Any subset of size r chosen from a set of n distinct numbers can be arranged in strictly descending order in exactly 1 way. Hence, combinations = arrangements.

Core Logic

For Set S: We need 4 digits a, b, c, d such that a > b > c > d. Since the numbers are strictly descending, d can be 0 (e.g., 3210 is a valid 4-digit number). We simply need to choose 4 distinct digits from the 10 available digits 0, 1, 2, , 9. Once chosen, they can be arranged in decreasing order in exactly one unique way.

n(S) = ¹⁰C₄ = (10 × 9 × 8 × 7)/(4 × 3 × 2 × 1) = 210
Step 1: Generating 5-Digit Multipliers

For Set P: We need 5 digits whose product is 20. None of the digits can be 0. Digits must be from 1, 2, 3, , 9. The prime factorization of 20 is 2² × 5. The possible sets of 5 digits that multiply to 20 are: Case 1: 5, 4, 1, 1, 1 Case 2: 5, 2, 2, 1, 1

Step 2: Counting Permutations

Now calculate the number of permutations for each case to form 5-digit numbers: For Case 1 5, 4, 1, 1, 1:

Permutations = (5!)/(3!) = (120)/(6) = 20

For Case 2 5, 2, 2, 1, 1:

Permutations = (5!)/(2! 2!) = (120)/(4) = 30

Total for Set P:

n(P) = 20 + 30 = 50
Step 3: Final Sum

Total sum n(S) + n(P) = 210 + 50 = 260.

Pattern Recognition

A strictly monotonic digits condition always simplifies a permutation problem into a pure combination selection (ⁿCᵣ). Product conditions require basic integer partition mapping and multiset permutation formulas.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Permutations and Combinations

Q23 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Number Formation with Conditions
The number of numbers greater than 5000, less than 9000 and divisible by 3, that can be formed using the digits 0, 1, 2, 5, 9, if the repetition of the digits is allowed, is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 42 to 42

Solution

Related Formula

Divisibility by 3: sum of digits must be a multiple of 3. Numbers must be 4 digits, starting with 5 (since > 5000 and < 9000, the first digit must be 5 as 9 is out of bounds for the first digit).

Core Logic

Format: 5 _ _ _ Sum of digits = 5 + x₂ + x₃ + x₄ = 3k. Available digits to pick from: 0, 1, 2, 5, 9. (Their mod 3 values are 0, 1, 2, 2, 0). Instead of full manual listing, one can catalog combinations summing to 3k when added to 5.

Step 1: Analyzing Cases

Sum x₂+x₃+x₄ must be ≡ 1 3 since 5 ≡ 2 3. Categorizing remaining 3 slots by combinations: (1) All different elements (from 0, 1, 9, 2, 5 - wait, 5 is fixed but can repeat, we just need the 3 remaining slots). Let's trace valid combinations of 3 digits from 0, 1, 2, 5, 9 summing to a required modulo. Combinations mapped manually matching modulo conditions: 0, 1, 9 ⇒ 5,0,1,9 ⇒ (3!)/(1!) = 6 ways

(2) Two alike, two different: 0, 0, 1 ⇒ 5, 0, 0, 1 ⇒ (3!)/(2!) = 3 ways 1, 1, 2 ⇒ 5, 1, 1, 2 ⇒ 3 ways 2, 2, 0 ⇒ 5, 2, 2, 0 ⇒ 3 ways 2, 2, 9 ⇒ 5, 2, 2, 9 ⇒ 3 ways 5, 0, 2 ⇒ 5, 5, 0, 2 ⇒ 3! = 6 ways 5, 2, 9 ⇒ 5, 5, 2, 9 ⇒ 3! = 6 ways 1, 9, 9 ⇒ 5, 1, 9, 9 ⇒ 3 ways

(3) Three alike (and 5): 5, 5, 0 ⇒ 5, 5, 5, 0 ⇒ 3 ways 5, 5, 9 ⇒ 5, 5, 5, 9 ⇒ 3 ways

(4) Two alike and Two other alike (including the leading 5): 5, 1, 1 ⇒ 5, 5, 1, 1 ⇒ (3!)/(2!) = 3 ways

Step 2: Total Sum

Total permutations = 6 + (3+3+3+3+6+6+3) + (3+3) + 3 = 6 + 27 + 6 + 3 = 42

Pattern Recognition

Breaking the 4-digit number into a fixed constraint (5 at thousands place) and tracking permutations of the remaining 3 slots drastically reduces the combinatorial tree. Grouping by likeness handles identical digits flawlessly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Permutations and Combinations

Q9 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Dictionary Rank of a Word
The letters of the word "UDAYPUR" are written in all possible ways with or without meaning and these words are arranged as in a dictionary. The rank of the word "UDAYPUR" is:
  • A. 1580
  • B. 1578
  • C. 1579
  • D. 1581

Solution

Related Formula
Permutations with repetition: (n!)/(p₁! p₂! )
Core Logic

Alphabetical order of letters in "UDAYPUR": A, D, I (Wait, no I. A, D, P, R, U, U, Y). Let's list properly: A, D, P, R, U, U, Y.

Step 1: Words Starting with Previous Letters

Start fixing the first letter from the sorted array:

Words starting with A arrow (6!)/(2!) = (720)/(2) = 360 Words starting with D arrow (6!)/(2!) = 360 Words starting with P arrow (6!)/(2!) = 360 Words starting with R arrow (6!)/(2!) = 360

Step 2: Words starting with U

Now we reach U. Fix U and move to the second letter. Available letters: A, D, P, R, U, Y.

Words starting with UA arrow 5! = 120 (Since one U is fixed, no repetition left)

Next prefix is UD. Fix UD, move to the third letter. Available: A, P, R, U, Y. A is the target, so fix A. We are at UDA. Move to fourth letter. Available: P, R, U, Y. Y is target.

Words starting with UDAP arrow 3! = 6 Words starting with UDAR arrow 3! = 6 Words starting with UDAU arrow 3! = 6

Next is UDAY. Fix UDAY. Available: P, R, U.

Step 3: Final Count

Alphabetical order for remaining three letters is P, R, U. The target word is UDAYPUR.

Words starting with UDAYPRU arrow 1 (since U is after R) Next word is UDAYPUR arrow 1

Total Rank = 360 + 360 + 360 + 360 + 120 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 1580.

Pattern Recognition

When repeating letters exist (like U in UDAYPUR), dividing by the factorial of repeated characters is critical for preceding branches. Once one of the repeating letters is consumed in the fixed prefix (e.g. at UA), the remaining pool has unique letters, dropping the denominator.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Permutations and Combinations

Rankbit System
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