Combination is a branch of mathematics that deals with counting and explores the number of possible arrangements or selections of given elements.
In the basic theorem of combination, we also encounter a combination tree, which graphically shows us the process of selecting certain elements.
We draw the tree by splitting the nodes forward into as many nodes as we have options in a given step. In the end, when we no longer have the option to choose from, we get the number of all possible combinations.
However, since the tree can become too large, we know different rules for combining combinations in combination.
The basic theorem of combination or the product rule is used when we have at our disposal k successive phases with different number of elements:
in the first phase possible decisions,
in the second phase, decisions are possible,
...,
k - this phase, however, decisions are possible.
In doing so, of course, we must take into account that the choices in a particular phase do not depend on the options that were already chosen in previous phases.
If we first choose between decisions, then independently of the first choice, we choose between decisions, ... and finally, independently of the previous choice, we choose between decisions, then the number of all choices (N) is equal to the product of all decisions ( ) in each phase:
It talks about a situation where we have two or more sets at our disposal that do not have a common cross section, and we choose between the elements of one of all the sets.
The sum rule therefore comes into play when choosing between:
options from the first set of selections
but
options from another set of selections
but
...
but
options from another set of selections
Selections from each set are incompatible with selections from other sets. We can choose an element from the first or second set, not from both at the same time.
If we choose either one of the options from the first set or one of the options from the second set ... or one of the options, we get the number of all selections (M) equal to the sum of the elements () from individual sets: