NB:

Are they asking for the number of ways

or the probability?
Question 1

A dog runs through two fences. One has three holes, and the
other has four holes. How many different ways can he run
through the two fences?
Question 1 Solution
A dog runs through two fences. One has three holes, and the other has
four holes. How many different ways can he run through the two fences?

A B C

1 2 3 4

A1 A2 A3 A4
B1 B2 B3 B4
C1 C2 C3 C4
â 12 different ways
Question 2

At a restaurant there is a choice of

three starters (mushrooms (M), soup (S) or pate (P)),
four main courses (chicken (C), beef (B), fish (F) or vegetarian (V))
and two deserts (ice cream (I) or trifle (T)).

How many different combinations could be chosen?

For similar examples see

Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
Exercise 12.5, Question 1
Question 2 Solution
At a restaurant there is a choice of three starters (mushrooms (M), soup (S) or pate (P)),
four main courses (chicken (C), beef (B), fish (F) or vegetarian (V)) and
two deserts (ice cream (I) or trifle (T)). How many different combinations
could be chosen?

Starting with the mushroom dish:

MCI MCT MBI MBT MFI MFT MVI MVT

Then the soup:

SCI SCT SBI SBT SFI SFT SVI SVT

Then the pate:

PCI PCT PBI PBT PFI PFT PVI PVT

â 24 different combinations

Note: there is no need to list everything once you start seeing a pattern forming!
Question 3

The digits from 0 to 9 are to be used to make a ten-digit code.

Determine the number of ways to do this given that:

3.1 the digits may be repeated.

3.2 the digits may not be repeated.

Question 3 Solution
The digits from 0 to 9 are to be used to make a ten-digit code.
Determine the number of ways to do this given that:

3.1 the digits may be repeated.

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Number of ways = 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10
= 1010
= 10 000 000 000
3.2 the digits may not be repeated.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Number of ways = 10 % 9 % 8 % 7 % 6 % 5 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1
= 10!
= 3 628 800
Question 4

The digits from 0 to 9 are to be used to make a six-digit code.

Determine the number of ways to do this given that:

4.1 the digits may be repeated.

4.2 the digits may not be repeated.

Question 4 Solution

The digits from 0 to 9 are to be used to make a six-digit code.

Determine the number of ways to do this given that:

4.1 the digits may be repeated.

10 10 10 10 10 10

Number of ways = 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 % 10
= 106
= 1 000 000
4.2 the digits may not be repeated.

10 9 8 7 6 5

Number of ways = 10 % 9 % 8 % 7 % 6 % 5
= 151 200
 Fair or Unfair Questions?

1.1 In a group of 10 learners you need to choose a chairman,

vice-chairman and secretary. In how many ways can this
be done?

1.2 In a group of 10 learners you need to send three of them

out the classroom to run an errand. In how many ways
can this be done?
 Fair or Unfair Questions?

2.1 In how many ways can you make a four-digit code

from the digits 0 to 9 if no digits may be repeated?

2.2 In how many ways can you choose a committee of

four people from ten people?
Question 5

Determine the number of ways the letters of the word EQUATIONS

can be arranged.
Question 5 Solution

Determine the number of ways the letters of the word EQUATIONS

can be arranged.

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Number of ways = 9 % 8 % 7 % 6 % 5 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1
= 9!
= 362 880
Question 6

A code is made up of three letters followed by three digits.

Only consonants may be used, and they may not be repeated.
Any digit from 0 to 6 may be used, and they may be repeated.
How many such codes are there?
Question 6 Solution

A code is made up of three letters followed by three digits.

Only consonants may be used, and they may not be repeated.
Any digit from 0 to 6 may be used, and they may be repeated.
How many such codes are there?

21 20 19 7 7 7

Number of codes = 21 % 20 % 19 % 7 % 7 % 7
= 2 737 140
Question 7

A code is made up of three letters followed by three digits.

The first letter must be a vowel, thereafter any letter may be used.
Any digit from 0 to 9 may be used, but the last digit must be even.
How many such codes are there?
Question 7 Solution
A code is made up of three letters followed by three digits.
The first letter must be a vowel, thereafter any letter may be used.
Any digit from 0 to 9 may be used, but the last digit must be even.
How many such codes are there?

5 5
AEIOU 02468

5 26 26 10 10 5

Number of codes = 5 % 26 % 26 % 10 % 10 % 5
= 1 690 000
Question 8

The letters of the word PANDEMIC are arranged in any order.

8.1 Determine the number of unique arrangements that can

be made.

8.2 Determine the number of arrangements if each word must

start with C and end with M.

8.3 Determine the probability that each word starts with C and
ends with M.

For similar examples see

Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
Challenging Questions 6 and 7
Question 8 Solution
The letters of the word PANDEMIC are arranged in any order.

8.1 Determine the number of unique arrangements that can be made.

8! = 40 320
8.2 Determine the number of arrangements if each word must start with C and
end with M.

1 1
C M

1 6 5 4 3 2 1 1
C M
all other letters

Number of arrangements = 1 % 6! % 1
= 720
8.3 Determine the probability that each word starts with C and ends with M.
720 1
P = =
40 320 56

OR
1
P(start with C) =
8
1
P(end with M) =
7
1 1 1
â P(start with C and end with M) = % =
8 7 56
Question 9

The letters of the word ALGORITHMS are used to form different

five-letter words.

9.1 How many different five-letter words can be formed?

9.2 How many different five-letter words can be formed using

only one vowel?
Question 9 Solution
The letters of the word ALGORITHMS are used to form different five-letter words.

9.1 How many different five-letter words can be formed?

10 9 8 7 6 Number of ways = 10 % 9 % 8 % 7 % 6
= 30 240
9.2 How many different five-letter words can be formed using only one vowel?
Vowel 1st 3 7 6 5 4

Vowel 2nd 7 3 6 5 4

Vowel 3rd 7 6 3 5 4

Vowel 4th 7 6 5 3 4

Vowel 5th 7 6 5 4 3
Number of ways
= (3 % 7 % 6 % 5 % 4) + (7 % 3 % 6 % 5 % 4) + (7 % 6 % 3 % 5 % 4) + (7 % 6 % 5 % 3 % 4) + (7 % 6 % 5 % 4 % 3)
= 3%7%6%5%4%5
= 12 600
Question 10

Consider the digits 1 to 8.

10.1 How many two-digit numbers can be formed if digits

may be repeated?

10.2 How many four-digit numbers can be formed if digits

may not be repeated?

10.3 How many numbers between 3 000 and 4 000 can

be formed?
For similar examples see
Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
Exercise 12.5, Questions 4 & 5
and Challenging Questions 8 and 9
Question 10 Solution

Consider the digits 1 to 8.

10.1 How many two-digit numbers can be formed if digits

may be repeated?
8 % 8 = 64

10.2 How many four-digit numbers can be formed if digits may

not be repeated?
8 % 7 % 6 % 5 = 1 680

10.3 How many numbers between 3 000 and 4 000 can

be formed?
1 % 8 % 8 % 8 = 512
Question 11

Mr and Mrs Brown and their four children line up for a photograph.

11.1 In how many ways can they line up if anyone may sit
anywhere?

11.2 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must each sit at an end?

11.3 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must sit next to each other in the middle?

11.4 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must sit next to each other anywhere?
Question 11 Solution

Mr and Mrs Brown and their four children line up for a photograph.

11.1 In how many ways can they line up if anyone may sit
anywhere?

6 % 5 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1 = 720

11.2 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must each sit at an end?

2 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1 % 1 = 48
11.3 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must sit next to each other in the middle?

4 % 3 % 2 % 1 % 2 % 1 = 48

11.4 In how many ways can they line up if Mr and Mrs Brown
must sit next to each other anywhere?

Mr and Mrs Brown

Child
Child
Child
Child

5! % 2! = 240
Question 12

Five Maths books and three Science books are to be placed on

a shelf. The books are all different.
Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
12.1 In how many ways can the books p. 53, Exercise 12.5
Question 6
be arranged?

12.2 In how many ways can the books be arranged if the

five Maths books must be together?

12.3 In how many ways can the books be arranged if the

Maths books must be together and the Science books
must be together?
Question 12 Solution

Five Maths books and three Science books are to be

placed on a shelf. The books are all different.

12.1 In how many ways can the books be arranged?

8 % 7 % 6 % 5 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1 = 8! = 40 320

12.2 In how many ways can the books be arranged if the

five Maths books must be together?
Science
Maths / Maths / Maths / Maths / Maths
Science
Science
4! % 5! = 2 880
12.3 In how many ways can the books be arranged if the
Maths books must be together and the Science books
must be together?

Maths / Maths / Maths / Maths / Maths

Science / Science / Science

2! % 5! % 3! = 1 440
Question 13

Consider the word ISOSCELES. In how many ways can you

arrange the letters?
Question 13 Solution

Consider the word ISOSCELES. In how many ways can you

arrange the letters?

The repeated letters are all the same, therefore we have to

remove duplicates.

9!
= 30 240
3! % 2!
Question 14

A four-digit code is made from the digits 0 to 6.

How many four-digit codes can be made if the code has to

be greater than 2 000, less than 3 000, and must be even?
You may not repeat digits.
Question 14 Solution

A four-digit code is made from the digits 0 to 6.

How many four-digit codes can be made if the code has to

be greater than 2 000, less than 3 000, and must be even?
You may not repeat digits.

1 % 5 % 4 % 3 = 60
Question 15

There are 7 different shirts and 4 different pairs of trousers

hanging in a cupboard.

15.1 In how many ways can the clothes be hung if all the shirts
must be together and all the trousers must be together?

15.2 What is the probability that a shirt will hang at the

beginning of the rail and a pair of trousers at the end of
the rail?
Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
p. 53, Exercise 12.5
Question 3
Question 15 Solution

There are 7 different shirts and 4 different pairs of trousers hanging in a cupboard.

15.1 In how many ways can the clothes be hung if all the shirts must be together
and all the trousers must be together?

2! % 7! % 4! = 241 920

15.2 What is the probability that a shirt will hang at the beginning of the rail and
a pair of trousers at the end of the rail?
7
Total number of ways = 11! OR P(shirt) =
11
Number of successful ways = 7 % 9! % 4 4
P(trousers) =
10
7 % 9! % 4 14
â P = = 7 4 14
11! 55 â P = % =
11 10 55
Question 16

Consider the word MILLION.

16.1 Determine the number of seven-letter words that can

be made.

16.2 Determine the probability that the vowels will be next to

each other.
Question 16 Solution

Consider the word MILLION.

16.1 Determine the number of seven-letter words that can be made.

7!
= 1 260
2! % 2!

16.2 Determine the probability that the vowels will be next to each other.

5! % 3!
Number of ways if vowels are together = 180
2! % 2!
180 1
â P = =
1 260 7
Question 17

Consider the word CALCULATOR.

17.1 How many different word arrangements can be made?

17.2 Determine the probability that a word arrangement starts

and ends with C.

For similar examples see

Grade 12 Maths 2-in-1
Exercise 12.5, Questions 9 and 10
Question 17 Solution

Consider the word CALCULATOR.

17.1 How many different word arrangements can be made?

10!
= 453 600
2! % 2! % 2!

17.2 Determine the probability that a word arrangement starts and

ends with C.
2 % 8! % 1
Number of ways to start and end with C = = 10 080
2! % 2! % 2!
10 080 1
â P = =
453 600 45

2 1 1
OR P = % =
10 9 45
Question 18

Six friends go to watch a movie. They will sit next to each other in
a straight row. Themba and Linna have had an argument and
refuse to sit next to each other. How many possible seating
arrangements are there?
Question 18 Solution

Six friends go to watch a movie. They will sit next to each other in
a straight row. Themba and Linna have had an argument and
refuse to sit next to each other. How many possible seating
arrangements are there?

Number of ways if they sit together = 5! % 2! = 240

Total number of ways = 6! = 720

Number of ways they don't sit together = 720 – 240 = 480

Question 19

Suppose a five-digit PIN can be made up by selecting digits at

random and that the digits can be repeated. What is the
probability that such a PIN will contain at least one 9? Give your
answer correct to two decimal places.

DBE 2012
Question 19 Solution

Suppose a five-digit PIN can be made up by selecting digits at

random and that the digits can be repeated. What is the
probability that such a PIN will contain at least one 9? Give your
answer correct to two decimal places.

Total number of PIN's = 105

Number of PIN's containing no 9's = 95

Number of PIN's containing at least one 9 = 105 – 95

105 − 95
â P = 5
= 0,41
10
Question 20
In a certain province vehicle number plates have the following format:
@@@### (three letters followed by three digits) where @ represents a
letter of the alphabet, and # a digit from 0 to 9. For each number plate that
is assigned to a vehicle, the following conditions must be met:
 All letters except E, G and O can be used and no letter can be repeated.
 No number plate code can start with a vowel.
 All digits can be used, and each digit can be repeated.

20.1 How many vehicles can be assigned a number plate code according
to this system?

20.2 Calculate the probability that a number plate code chosen from the
number plates in 20.1 at random contains only one vowel and ends
with an even digit.
Eastern Cape September 2021
Question 20 Solution

In a certain province vehicle number plates have the following format:

@@@### (three letters followed by three digits) where @ represents a
letter of the alphabet, and # a digit from 0 to 9. For each number plate that
is assigned to a vehicle, the following conditions must be met:
 All letters except E, G and O can be used and no letter can be repeated.
 No number plate code can start with a vowel.
 All digits can be used, and each digit can be repeated.

20.1 How many vehicles can be assigned a number plate code according
to this system?
23 letters available (can't use E, G and O)
Remaining vowels are A, I and U, which can't be used at the beginning.
20 % 22 % 21 % 10 % 10 % 10 = 9 240 000
 All letters except E, G and O can be used and no letter can be repeated.
 No number plate code can start with a vowel.
 All digits can be used, and each digit can be repeated.

20.2 Calculate the probability that a number plate code chosen from the
number plates in 28.1 at random contains only one vowel and ends
with an even digit.

You can't have a vowel in the first position.

Vowel in second position: 20 % 3 % 19 % 10 % 10 % 5 = 570 000

Vowel in third position: 20 % 19 % 3 % 10 % 10 % 5 = 570 000

570 000 + 570 000 19

â P = =
9 240 000 154
Question 21

A three-digit number is made up by using three randomly

selected digits from 0 to 9. No digit may be repeated.

21.1 Determine the total number of possible three-digit numbers,

greater than 100, that can be formed.

21.2 Determine the total number of possible three-digit numbers,

both even and greater than 600, that can be formed.

DBE June 2021

Question 21 Solution
A three-digit number is made up by using three randomly
selected digits from 0 to 9. No digit may be repeated.

21.1 Determine the total number of possible three-digit numbers,

greater than 100, that can be formed.
9 % 9 % 8 = 648
21.2 Determine the total number of possible three-digit numbers,
both even and greater than 600, that can be formed.
If start with 6: 1%8%4 = 32
If start with 7: 1%8%5 = 40
If start with 8: 1%8%4 = 32
If start with 9: 1%8%5 = 40
Total number of ways = 32 + 40 + 32 + 40 = 144
Question 22

Seven guitar players, each with a different name, participate in

a concert.

22.1 In how many different ways can the names of the guitar players
be listed, one below the other, in the programme?

22.2 After the performance, the guitar players wait backstage. There is a
bench with only room for four to sit on.
What will be the probability that the four guitar players will be sitting in
alphabetical order, from left to right?

22.3 During the performance, the seven guitar players sit in a line on stage.
Four guitar players are female and three are male.
In how many different ways can they be seated if the males may not
sit next to each other?
DBE May/June 2024
Question 22 Solution

Seven guitar players, each with a different name, participate in

a concert.

22.1 In how many different ways can the names of the guitar players
be listed, one below the other, in the programme?

7! = 5 040
22.2 After the performance, the guitar players wait backstage. There is a bench with
only room for four to sit on.
What will be the probability that the four guitar players will be sitting in alphabetical
order, from left to right?
ABCD BCDE CDEF DEFG
ABCE BCDF CDEG
ABCF BCDG CDFG
ABCG BCEF CEFG
ABDE BCEG
ABDF BCFG
ABDG BDEF
ABEF BDEG
ABEG BDFG
ABFG BEFG
ACDE
ACDF
ACDG
ACEF
ACEG
ACFG
ADEF 35
 P =
7  6  5  4
ADEG
ADFG 1
=
AEFG 24
22.3 During the performance, the seven guitar players sit in a line on stage.
Four guitar players are female and three are male.
In how many different ways can they be seated if the males may not sit next to
each other?
F F M F M F M
4 % 3 % 3 % 2 % 2 % 1 % 1 = 144

F M F F M F M
4 % 3 % 3 % 2 % 2 % 1 % 1 = 144

F M F M F F M = 144
F M F M F M F = 144
M F F M F M F = 144
M F F M F F M = 144
M F M F F M F = 144
M F M F F F M = 144
M F M F M F F = 144
M F F F M F M = 144

 144 % 10 = 1 440 ways

OR F F F F

Ways for males to be arranged = 5 % 4 % 3

Four females can arrange in 4 ! ways
 number of ways = 5 % 4 % 3 % 4 ! = 1 440
Question 23

Consider the letters AHMST. If all five letters are used, and all
the possible arrangements that can be formed are placed in
alphabetical order, in which position is the word MATHS?
Question 23 Solution
Consider the letters AHMST. If all five letters are used, and all the possible
arrangements that can be formed are placed in alphabetical order, in which
position is the word MATHS?

Words beginning with A: 1 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1 = 24

Words beginning with H: 1 % 4 % 3 % 2 % 1 = 24

Words beginning with M: MAHST

MAHTS
MASHT
MASTH
MATHS
MATHS is in the 53rd position.
Question 24

2023! + 2022!
Simplify
2024!
Question 24 Solution

2023! + 2022!
Simplify
2024!

2023! + 2022! 2022!( 2023 + 1)

=
2024! 2024!
2022! ( 2024 )
=
2024 % 2023 % 2022!
1
=
2023
Question 25

Given:
( ( 3!)!)! = a % b! where a and b are positive integers and
3!
b is as large as possible. Determine the value of a + b.
Question 25 Solution

Given:
( ( 3!)!)! = a % b! where a and b are positive integers and
3!
b is as large as possible. Determine the value of a + b.

( ( 3!)!)! =
( 6!)!
3! 6
720!
=
6
720 % 719!
=
6
= 120 % 719!

â a + b = 120 + 719
= 839
Question 26
2023

∑ (i !)
2
Determine the units digit of
i =1
Question 26 Solution
2023

∑ (i !)
2
Determine the units digit of
i =1
2023

∑ (i !) = (1!) + ( 2!) + ( 3!) + ( 4!) + ( 5!) + . . . + ( 2023!)

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

i =1

= 1 +2 +6 +24 +120 + . . .+ ( 2023!)

2 2 2 2 2 2

= 1 + 4 + 36 + 576 + 14 400 + . . . + ( 2023!)

2

To determine the units digit, add the units digits.

1 + 4 + 6 + 6 = 17

â the units digit is 7.

Probability References to TAS Maths books
Gr 10 Maths 3-in-1 (Module 12) 12.1
Definitions and Terminology 12.1 ⟶ 12.2
Calculating Probability 12.2 ⟶ 12.3
Visual Representations of Probability 12.3 ⟶ 12.11
Also see: Exemplar P1 (Q5) E2

Gr 11 Maths 3-in-1 (Module 12) 12.1

Introduction to Probability 12.2 ⟶ 12.5
Venn Diagrams 12.6 ⟶ 12.10
Independent Events 12.11 ⟶ 12.14
2-Way Contingency Tables 12.15 ⟶ 12.16
Exercises 12.17 ⟶ 12.19
Also see: Exemplar P1 (Q11 & Q12) Q3

Gr 12 Maths 2-in-1 (Module 12) 50

The Probability Rules See Challenging Questions booklet: 50
Venn Diagrams 50 ⟶ 51
pages 16 ⟶ 19
Tree Diagrams 51 ⟶ 52
2-Way Contingency Tables 52 ⟶ 53
Fundamental Counting Principle 53
See the Topic Guide on p. 147 for further exam practice.

Gr 12 Maths Past Papers Toolkit

See the Topic Guide on p. 1 for relevant questions.
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