Difference between revisions of "Factorial"

(Rearranged for more wiki-like appearance)
(added 2003I/1)
Line 14: Line 14:
  
 
The factorial is used in the definitions of [[combinations]] and [[permutations]], as <math>n!</math> is the number of ways to order <math>n</math> distinct objects.
 
The factorial is used in the definitions of [[combinations]] and [[permutations]], as <math>n!</math> is the number of ways to order <math>n</math> distinct objects.
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 +
* [http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=508851#p508851 AIME 2003I/1]
 +
 +
=== See also ===

Revision as of 11:24, 19 June 2006

The factorial is an important concept in combinatorics, used to determine the number of ways to arrange objects.

Definition

The factorial is defined for positive integers as $n!=n \cdot (n-1) \cdots 2 \cdot 1$ Alternatively, a recursive definition for the factorial is: $n!=n \cdot (n-1)!$.

Additional Information

By convention, $0!$ is given the value $1$.

The gamma function is a generalization of the factorial to values other than positive integers.

Uses

The factorial is used in the definitions of combinations and permutations, as $n!$ is the number of ways to order $n$ distinct objects.

Examples

See also