SOLUTION: How many ways can you distribute 4 different balls among 4 different boxes? Some of the boxes can be empty.

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Question 1163687: How many ways can you distribute 4 different balls among 4 different boxes? Some of the boxes can be empty.
Answer by math_helper(2461) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For n distinct objects distributed into r distinct boxes (where order within the box does not matter, and a box may be left empty): +r%5En+

The reasoning is as follows: for the four balls labeled A,B,C,D and four boxes labeled w,x,y,z, you have 4 places (w,x,y,z) to put A, times (4 places to put B), times (4 places to put C), times (4 places to put D).