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Calculating Combinations
Summary: The COMBIN worksheet function is used to calculate the number of different combinations that can be derived from a given set. This tip explains the two parameters for the function and provides an example of how to use it. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)
Have you ever wondered how many different four-letter combinations you can make when you start with 26 letters and 10 digits? Excel can tell you in a flash, if you use the COMBIN worksheet function. The syntax of the function is as follows:
=COMBIN(universe, sets)
In this syntax, universe represents the number of items from which the combinations can be made, and sets represents the number that must be in each combination. Thus, you could use the following to determine the number of four-character combinations that you can make from the alphabet (26 letters) and the ten digits:
=COMBIN(26+10,4)
Just for those who are curious, the answer returned is 58,905.
Tip #2158 applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 2000 2002 2003
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