[ekm2]

Combinatorics can do that even better,minus the memorization.

[kazinator]

Algebraic formulas show up in combinatorics. For instance, expressions which count objects in a certain set generated by combinatoric relationships.

There is probably no need to delay studying some combinatorics before algebra, but at some point, you need the algebraic background.

[ekm2]

Actually,combinatorial thinking is more useful for understanding Algebra and not the other way around.Key word is understanding.No need for a beautiful formula you cannot understand.