A baseball coach is determining the batting order for the team. The team has 9 players, but the coach does not want the pitcher to be one of the first four to bat. How many batting orders are possible?

Question

dumbcow · Answer

use the counting principle.

For first 4 spots you have 8 players to choose from
For last 5 spots you have 5 players to choose from
$$\rightarrow \frac{8!}{(8-4)!}*\frac{5!}{(5-5)!} = \frac{8! *5!}{4!}$$

anonymous · Answer

so what would be the answer?

dumbcow · Answer

in terms of permutations its same as:
$$8P4 * 5P5$$

dumbcow · Answer

the answer as far as a number you can figure out with a calculator :)

anonymous · Answer

how do I write it into the calculator

dumbcow · Answer

i dunno what kind of calc you are using....all scientific ones will have a factorial button (!)

dumbcow · Answer

or do it long way
8*7*6*5*5*4*3*2*1

dumbcow · Answer

i would think teacher would have gone over this before assigning this type of problem...hmm

anonymous · Answer

its not for me I haven't done this n 2 years

dumbcow · Answer

uh huh also use a computer calculator http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=8%21*5%21%2F4%21

anonymous · Answer

this is for ma boyfriend cuz I had this 2 years ago n I honestly don't remember