How can so many different substances in the world be made of so few elements?

Matematically speaking, maybe because:
The number of substances = number of elements + number of different combinations of those elements

The activity series is shown in the attached picture. if the element is below the other, then you can displace the other. following the activity series as a guide, the reactions are as follows: nickel and aluminum chloride3 ni + 2 alcl₃  → 3 nicl₂ + 2 albarium and copper bromideba + cubr  →  no reaction because cu is less oxidizable than bapotassium nitrate and aluminum3 kno₃ + al  → al(no₃)₃ + 3 ksodium phosphate and zincnaso₄ + zn  → znso₄ + na

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