Question

What are combinatorics in discrete mathematics?

Answer 1

It's a field of study in mathematics that allows us to calculate the number of ways something can be done. We're working within discrete mathematics because the numbers aren't continuous.

Explanation:

In between answering a specific question, I walk through what combinatorics are:

https://socratic.org/questions/how-do-you-answer-something-like-7c3-for-a-combination-and-8p3-for-a-permutation#405503

The short answer, for those not willing to read the longer answer in the link, is that it's a field of study in mathematics that allows us to calculate the number of ways something can be done:

• How many ways can six books be arranged on a shelf?
• How many ways can you get a pair in poker?

We're working within discrete mathematics because the numbers aren't continuous - there are no fractions, decimals, or irrational numbers when working with these types of calculations.