I think you have the wrong idea of what the PERMUT() function does. Take a
look in the help menu for an explanation of it.

And yes, it is mathematically impossible for number chosen to be greater
than the total number of elements you have.

For example, try selecting 60 cards from a standard deck of 52... it is
impossible because you don't have 60 cards to choose from!

--
Regards,
Dave


"Celeste" wrote:

I am curious as to why the PERMUT function returns the #NUM error value when
the number < number_chosen.

The function is PERMUT(number,number_chosen) where number is an integer that
describes the number of objects and number_chosen is an integer that
describes the number of objects in each permutation.

Why does Excel consider it an error to have a number < number_chosen? For
example, say I have 4 bits of data, each of which can be 2 numbers (a 0 or a
1). This results in number = 2 and number_chosen = 4, and the #NUM error.

I see there is a complex formula for calculating the total permutation, is
it mathematically undefined with a number < number_chosen? If not, I suggest
Excel allow a number < number chosen.

If it is mathematically undefined, I suggest a new function to calculate the
total number of possible permutations in cases when the number < number
chosen. The need to figure this out is common in programming fields, so I
think it would be frequently used.

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