Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

In combinations, if you need to include a specific individual in a selection, what is a common method?

1. Exclude that individual first

2. Calculate the valid combinations including that individual

3. Choose fewer individuals to compensate

4. Assume all individuals are included

The correct answer is: Calculate the valid combinations including that individual

When tasked with including a specific individual in a combination selection, the most effective approach is to calculate the valid combinations that incorporate that individual. This is because the individual in question must be counted among the total participants, thus effectively reducing the problem's complexity by focusing on the remaining individuals to select. By explicitly including the designated individual, you ensure that every possible combination that features them is counted. This method keeps the calculation straightforward, as you can consider it a two-step process: first, include the specific individual, and then determine how many additional members are needed from the remaining pool. Utilizing this approach helps clarify the problem and leads to an accurate count of all combinations while ensuring it's structured around the requirement of including that specific individual. Other methods such as excluding the individual or adjusting the total number of selections do not effectively meet the requirement, resulting in potential inaccuracies in the final calculation.