Kombinatsiya

Kombinatsiya is a transliteration of the Russian word kombinatsiya (комбинация) and is used in several languages to denote the general idea of combining elements or the result of such a process. The term appears across different domains, including mathematics, everyday language, and cultural contexts, reflecting its broad meaning of bringing parts together.

In mathematics and combinatorics, a combination is a selection of k elements from an n-element set where the order of selection does not matter. The number of such combinations is denoted C(n, k) or "n choose k" and is calculated as n! / (k!(n−k)!). For example, choosing 3 people from a group of 5 yields 10 combinations. This concept contrasts with permutations, where order is important and therefore the count is generally different.

Beyond mathematics, kombinatsiya commonly refers to a mixture or arrangement of elements in a non-mathematical sense. This can describe a blend of colors, styles, features, or components that form a whole. In everyday language, it can also mean a plan or scheme—an overall arrangement of parts designed to achieve a result.

The term is used broadly in culture and media, including as a name or title in Russian-speaking regions. It appears in contexts ranging from fashion and music to organizational names and artistic projects, where the idea of combining elements is central.

Related concepts include combinatorics, the mathematical study of counting and arrangement, and the general English term “combination,” which captures similar meanings of selection, blending, and arrangement. See also permutation for the related idea where order matters.