Question 1090586: In how many ways can 3 different coins be placed in two different purses? Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, ikleyn:Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Purse 1:{ }, Purse 2:{ABC}
Purse 1:{A}, Purse 2:{BC}
Purse 1:{B}, Purse 2:{AC}
Purse 1:{C}, Purse 2:{AB}
Purse 1:{AB}, Purse 2:{C}
Purse 1:{AC}, Purse 2:{B}
Purse 1:{BC}, Purse 2:{A}
Purse 1:{ABC}, Purse 2:{ }
.
.
.
Eight ways.
You can put 1-st coin in any of the two purses. It gives you 2 opportunities.
You can put 2-nd coin in any of the two purses. It gives you 2 opportunities.
You can put 3-rd coin in any of the two purses. It gives you 2 opportunities.
In total, you have 2*2*2 = = 8 ways.
Similarly, if you have n coins and 2 purses, then the number of ways is .
