Which of the following statements about combinations is true?

When considering combinations, the fundamental principle is that they are used to select items without regard to the order in which those items are selected. This is crucial because it distinguishes combinations from permutations, where the order does matter.

For instance, if you have a set of objects and you want to choose a few, the different ways to select these items without considering the sequence in which they are chosen characterizes a combination. For example, choosing the objects A, B, and C is the same combination as choosing C, B, and A; both represent the same selection.

The other statements about combinations misrepresent their characteristics. The first option incorrectly suggests that order matters, which is contrary to the definition of combinations. The second option erroneously restricts combinations to groups of three, while they can actually be formed from any number of items. Lastly, stating that combinations are only for identical objects ignores the reality that combinations can involve distinct elements.