Circular Permutation

 

The formula for calculating the number of ways to arrange n objects in a circle is:

P= (n -1)!

Where:

P is the total number of permutations

n is the total number of objects in the set

Sample Problems

1. How many ways can five people be seated around a circular table?

Formula: 

P= (n -1)! 

Given: 

P =? n =5

Solution:

P= (n-1)!

P= (5-1)!

P=4! =4-3-2 ·1

P= 24, ways

2. How many ways can seven cheerleaders be arranged in a circle?

Formula: 

P= (n-1)! 

Given: 

P =? n =7

Solution:

P= (n- 1)!

P= (7-1)!

P=6! =6•5.4.3-2.1

P=720 ways