Permutations and combinations are standard components of the secondary math curriculum (CCSSI 2010, HSS.CP.B.9; NCTM 2000). In my classes, I have used counting problems to help students look for and make use of structure, as well as to model with mathematics—two important standards of mathematical practice (CCSSI 2010, MP.4, MP.7). Furthermore, I have found that combinatorics problems can motivate problem solving, because it is not always clear what the outcome of such problems should be.
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