Review Topics for Success

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify and use the Addition Principle of Counting
  • Identify and use the Multiplication Principle of Counting (Fundamental Counting Principle)
  • Find the number of permutations of n distinct objects

This module will introduce probability and counting principles and the binomial theorem. The material is challenging and draws on the mathematical maturity you’ve built up throughout the course to piece together new formulas and ideas in application problems.

You may find certain concepts are still rusty as you work through the module, especially operations on fractions. If so, you can find many of the fundamental concepts used in this course in Module 1: Algebra Essentials. Feel free to return there as needed.

In preparation to explore probability and counting principles, it will be a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the fundamental principles of counting first. You’ll see these topics again right after the review section, which will hopefully help you to get a good, strong start.

Warm up for this module by refreshing important concepts and skills you’ll need for success. As you study these review topics, recall that you can also return to Algebra Essentials any time you need to refresh the basics.

Recall for success

Look for red boxes like this one throughout the text. They’ll show up just in time to give helpful reminders of the math you’ll need, right where you’ll need it.