COMBIN (Primitive Spread Function) returns the number of possible combinations for a specified number of items.

SYNTAX:

COMBIN(value1,value2)

REMARKS:

Specify the number of items using the value1 argument. Specify the number of items in each possible combination using the value2 argument. Both arguments must be positive integers, and the value1 argument must be greater than or equal to the value2 argument.

A combination is any set or subset of items, regardless of the internal order of the items. Contrast with permutation (the PERMUT function).

The number of combinations is calculated as follows, where value1=n and value2=k:

                                           

                           where:   

                                     

EXAMPLES:

COMBIN(C4,B2)
COMBIN(B3,5)
COMBIN(8,2)=28
COMBIN(100,3)=161700