document.write( "Question 945087: In how many ways can 5 prizes be distributed among 4 boys when every boy can take one or more prizes? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #576279 by Edwin McCravy(20056)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \r\n" ); document.write( "I think I'm interpreting your problem correctly. I'm interpreting it\r\n" ); document.write( "as the simple way that 3 of the boys will get 1 prize and one of the \r\n" ); document.write( "boys will get 2 prizes. If that's the correct interpretation, then,\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Choose the lucky boy to get 2 prizes 4 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "Choose the 2 prizes the lucky boy is to get 5C2 = 10 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "Distribute the remaining 3 prizes among the other 3 boys in 3! or 6 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Answer 4*10*6 = 240 ways.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "[If that's not the correct interpretation and you are studying \r\n" ); document.write( "partitions, which are a little more advanced, and allow that\r\n" ); document.write( "the first boy can take as many prizes as he likes, and that it\r\n" ); document.write( "may even be that he takes them all and the others get none, then\r\n" ); document.write( "it's a more complicated problem. Let me know in the thank-you\r\n" ); document.write( "note form below if you meant this more complicated case.\r\n" ); document.write( "Also if this is the case, tell me whether the prizes are \r\n" ); document.write( "distinguishable or all the prizes are exactly the same.]\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Edwin\n" ); document.write( " |