web2.0calc
 
+0  
 

 distinguishability problem

0
849
2
avatar+7 

At the grocery store, I bought 4 different items. I brought 3 identical bags, and handed them to the cashier. How many ways are there for the cashier to put the items I bought in the 3 identical bags, assuming he might leave some of the bags empty?

 Mar 3, 2019

2+0 Answers

 #1
avatar
0

xxxxxxxxxxxx.

 Mar 3, 2019
edited by Guest  Mar 3, 2019
 #2
avatar+129850 
+2

The items are distinguishable, the bags are not

 

Enumeration

4 items is any bag  =  1 way

3 items in one bag, 1 in any other   = 4C3 =  4 ways

2 items in one bag , 2 in another = 4C2 / 2 = 3 ways

2 items in one bag , 1 in each of the other two = 4C2 = 6

 

14 ways

 

 

cool cool cool

 Mar 3, 2019

2 Online Users

avatar
avatar

Top Users

avatar+37162 ElectricPavlov
avatar+33660 Alan moderator
avatar+15001 asinus moderator
avatar+9673 MaxWong
avatar+2669 LiIIiam0216
avatar+2490 GingerAle
avatar+1897 NotThatSmart
avatar+1839 ABJeIIy
avatar+1768 bader
avatar+1533 parmen
avatar+1455 kittykat

Sticky Topics