I am playing with this without really looking at the other answers - or if I did I have forgotten.
I just want to see if i get the same answer. :/
12 identical b***s
9 boxes
at least one ball in each box
so really the problem is just the same as 3 identical b***s in 9 boxes
All in the same box that is 9 ways
2 in one box and 1 in the other 9*8 = 72 or 2*9C2=72
all in different boxes maybe that is 9C3 = 84 ways
Total number of ways is 9+72+84 = 165
WOW I got the same answer as Alan and Nauseated. ヽ(•‿•)ノ
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Now Alan I do not understand your sigma notation. Could you talk about that please :/
And Nauseated. I still don't get where your formula came from either, did you just pluck it off the magic tree, like a golden apple? :/