Question

how many 2-letter combinations can be created from the distinct letters in the word \mathematician\? assume that the order of the letters does not matter.

28
78
156
56

Explanation:

Identify the distinct letters in the word "mathematician"

$$ \text{Letters: } \{m, a, t, h, e, i, c, n\} \implies n = 8 $$

Calculate the number of 2-letter combinations

$$ \binom{8}{2} = \frac{8 \times 7}{2 \times 1} = 28 $$

Answer:

• (A) 28 (Correct answer)
• (B) 78
• (C) 156
• (D) 56