Relating to the branch of mathematics that deals with counting arrangements and combinations of objects.
From combinatorial, derived from combine (Latin combinare, 'to join together') plus the suffix -ic. The mathematical field emerged in the 17th century as mathematicians developed systematic ways to count possible arrangements.
Combinatorics is the mathematics of 'how many ways?'—it's why computer scientists can estimate that shuffling a deck of cards creates more possible orders than there are atoms in the universe!
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