Factorial is a mathematical operator. If we take factorial of 5 then its equal to 5x4x3x2x1. Factorial is represented by ! or ㄴ. If n is the number then factorial of n can be represented by n! or ।n.
Why factorial of zero is equals to one not zero - 0! = 1 ? |
For example:
2! = 2x1
3! = 3x2x1
4! = 4x3x2x1
5! = 5x4x3x2x1
n! = nx(n-1)x(n-2)x(n-3)x.............
From above now we have a basic idea about factorial. We have a got a chapter called Permutation and Combination in class 10, 11 and 12 mathematics or advance mathematics.
⇒From that chapter we know, When r ≤ n then
nPr=
n!
/
(n-r)!
⇒Now when r = 1
nP1=
n!
/
(n-1)!
=
n(n-1)!
/
(n-1)!
=n
⇒Now when r = 2
nP2=
n!
/
(n-2)!
=
n(n-1)(n-2)!
/
(n-2)!
=nx(n-1)
⇒Now when r = 3
nP3=
n!
/
(n-3)!
=
n(n-1)(n-2)(n-3)!
/
(n-3)!
=nx(n-1)x(n-2)
⇒From above we can conclude that
nP1=n
nP2=nx(n-1)
nP3=nx(n-1)x(n-2)
nP2=nx(n-1)
nP3=nx(n-1)x(n-2)
nPn=nx(n-1)x(n-2)x(n-3)x........=n!
nPn=n!
⇒
n!
/
(n-r)!
=n!
⇒
n!
/
(n-n)!
=n!
⇒
n!
/
0!
=n!
⇒0!=
n!
/
n!
⇒0!=1
That is why factorial of zero is equal to one note zero i.e. 0! = 1 is true.