How many possible combinations?

tjwitt · 2009-01-07 02:28:16

This problem is driving me nuts:
I have 3 groups with four different objects in each group. How many possible combinations are there if I can only combine one object from each group?
How many groups of 3 would there be? Is it 64?

PS Is there a calculator or simple formula to help with combinations of multiple groups?

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-07 02:59:18

64 is correct.

Well, if you have different groups, each group containing different objects, and you want to select exactly one object from each group to form a selection of n objects, then the total number of selections you can have is . Is this the formula you are looking for?

tjwitt · 2009-01-07 05:07:36

I think that's what I'm looking for Jane.
I'm a little rusty with my math but the formula would be 4 to the 3rd power (4x4x4=64). Correct?

Thanks so much for your help.

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-07 06:05:34

Youre welcome.

By the way, in my previous post, it should be a selection of m objects, not n objects. Typo, sorry.

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2009-01-07 02:28:16

How many possible combinations?

#2 2009-01-07 02:59:18

Re: How many possible combinations?

#3 2009-01-07 05:07:36

Re: How many possible combinations?

#4 2009-01-07 06:05:34

Re: How many possible combinations?

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