Peanuts: New math

Hmmmm.... Let's see. I'm coming up with five possible answers to that problem.....

If the order of the books does not matter (aside from keeping the 3 math books together), then this is a combination problem, and there are 5 possible combinations. (5!/4!)

If the order of the books does matter, then this is a permutation problem, and there are 720 possible permutations. (5!*3!)

In a library, though, the science books should also be collocated. This changes things.

There are 2 combinations (2!) and 288 permutations (2!*4!*3!)

However, none of these take shelflist order into account. Since a misshelved book is a lost book, there is 1 correct arrangement. (And, if the 3 math books are kept together, there are 719 incorrect arrangements. If the math books get interfiled, there are 5039 incorrect arrangements.)

Now, I don't understand the last panel.... Judging from the emphasis on the the first syllable, I would say that this is the sportscaster pronunciation of "defense." Aside from that, I can't figure it out. (I can't even identify the game - hockey, perhaps?)

So if any mathematicians want to correct my factorials, or if anyone would care to explain the punchline to me, write to me at dplourde@ix.netcom.com.