On Sat, 28 Apr 2001 20:35:05 GMT, "W. D. Allen Sr."
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Five different condiments, plus no condiments, means 6*5*4*3*2*1 = 720
>distinct combinations.
>WDA
>
Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you thinking of the number of
permutations, i.e., all the condiments plus the no-condiment condition
included? When one takes the factorial of a number of items it is the
no. of items where the ordering is important. In combinations, the
order of ketchup and mustard is not an issue. He could compute the
combinations of 5 items, 4 at time, then 3, etc. and add them up plus
the no condiment option. To help this kid with his homework, I think a
better answer might be somewhere near 32 possible combinations.
McDonald's has lots of varieties or so I'm told, but not that many
:-)))
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