A mathematics journal has accepted 14 articles for publication. However, due to budgetary restraints only 9 articles can be published this month. How many ways can the journal editor assemble 9 of the 14 articles for publication?

Question

anonymous · Answer

If the order makes a difference then take a permutation.  14!/(14 - 9)!.  If it doesn't matter what order the 9 are assembled, then the problem becomes one of picking 9 from a possible of 14 choices.  This is a combination problem:   14!/ [(14 - 9)! * 9!] = 14!/ (5! * 9!)