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Returns the number of permutations for a given number of objects that can be selected from number objects. A permutation is any set or subset of objects or events where internal order is significant. Permutations are different from combinations, for which the internal order is not significant. Use this function for lottery-style probability calculations.

Syntax

PERMUT(number,number_chosen)

Number   is an integer that describes the number of objects.

Number_chosen   is an integer that describes the number of objects in each permutation.

Remarks

• Both arguments are truncated to integers.
• If number or number_chosen is nonnumeric, PERMUT returns the #VALUE! error value.
• If number ≤ 0 or if number_chosen < 0, PERMUT returns the #NUM! error value.
• If number < number_chosen, PERMUT returns the #NUM! error value.
• The equation for the number of permutations is:

  

Example

Suppose you want to calculate the odds of selecting a winning lottery number. Each lottery number contains three numbers, each of which can be between 0 (zero) and 99, inclusive. The following function calculates the number of possible permutations:

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.