document.write( "Question 942971: A person is creating a dinner menu for the party. he can choose from 3 appetizers, 4 main courses and 2 desserts.\r
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document.write( "How many different meals are possible?\r
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document.write( "Please if you could explain the mathematical way of doing this.\r
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document.write( "Thanks \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #575025 by Edwin McCravy(20056)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \r\n" ); document.write( "He can choose an appetizer any of 3 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "For each of those 3 ways that he can choose an appetizer,\r\n" ); document.write( "he can choose the main course any of 4 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "That's 3×4 or 12 ways that he can choose an appetizer and a main course.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "For each of those 3×4 or 12 ways that he can choose an appetizer and a\r\n" ); document.write( "main dish, he can choose a dessert any of 2 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "That's 3×4×2 or 24 ways that he can choose an appetizer, a main course,\r\n" ); document.write( "and a dessert.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Answer: 3×4×2 = 24 ways\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Why does it work to multiply the number of choices of each?\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Let the Appetizers be A1, A2, and A3\r\n" ); document.write( "Let the main courses be M1, M2, M3, and M4\r\n" ); document.write( "Let the desserts be D1 and D2\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Then the 24 meals are:\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( " 1. A1, M1, D1\r\n" ); document.write( " 2. A1, M1, D2\r\n" ); document.write( " 3. A1, M2, D1\r\n" ); document.write( " 4. A1, M2, D2\r\n" ); document.write( " 5. A1, M3, D1\r\n" ); document.write( " 6. A1, M3, D2\r\n" ); document.write( " 7. A1, M4, D1\r\n" ); document.write( " 8. A1, M4, D2\r\n" ); document.write( " 9. A2, M1, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "10. A2, M1, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "11. A2, M2, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "12. A2, M2, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "13. A2, M3, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "14. A2, M3, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "15. A2, M4, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "16. A2, M4, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "17. A3, M1, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "18. A3, M1, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "19. A3, M2, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "20. A3, M2, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "21. A3, M3, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "22. A3, M3, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "23. A3, M4, D1\r\n" ); document.write( "24. A3, M4, D2\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "That's why it works to multiply the number of choices for each.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Edwin\n" ); document.write( " |