Difference between revisions of "2001 AMC 10 Problems/Problem 19"
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
| − | Let the donuts be represented by <math> O </math>s. We wish to find all combinations of glazed, chocolate, and powdered donuts that give us <math> 4 </math> in all. The four donuts we want can be represented as <math> OOOO </math>. Notice that we can add two "dividers" to divide the group of donuts into three different kinds; the first will be glazed, second will be chocolate, and the third will be powdered. For example, <math> O|OO|O </math> represents one glazed, two chocolate, and one powdered. We have six objects in all, and we wish to turn two into dividers, which can be done in <math> \binom{6}{2}=15 </math> ways. Our answer is hence <math> \boxed{\textbf{(D)}\ 15} </math>. Notice that this can be generalized to get the balls and urn identity. | + | Let the donuts be represented by <math> O </math>s. We wish to find all possible combinations of glazed, chocolate, and powdered donuts that give us <math> 4 </math> in all. The four donuts we want can be represented as <math> OOOO </math>. Notice that we can add two "dividers" to divide the group of donuts into three different kinds; the first will be glazed, second will be chocolate, and the third will be powdered. For example, <math> O|OO|O </math> represents one glazed, two chocolate, and one powdered. We have six objects in all, and we wish to turn two into dividers, which can be done in <math> \binom{6}{2}=15 </math> ways. Our answer is hence <math> \boxed{\textbf{(D)}\ 15} </math>. Notice that this can be generalized to get the balls and urn identity. |
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
Revision as of 13:31, 8 July 2015
Problem
Pat wants to buy four donuts from an ample supply of three types of donuts: glazed, chocolate, and powdered. How many different selections are possible?
Solution
Let the donuts be represented by 
s. We wish to find all possible combinations of glazed, chocolate, and powdered donuts that give us 
in all. The four donuts we want can be represented as 
. Notice that we can add two "dividers" to divide the group of donuts into three different kinds; the first will be glazed, second will be chocolate, and the third will be powdered. For example, 
represents one glazed, two chocolate, and one powdered. We have six objects in all, and we wish to turn two into dividers, which can be done in 
ways. Our answer is hence 
. Notice that this can be generalized to get the balls and urn identity.
See Also
| 2001 AMC 10 (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
| Preceded by Problem 18 |
Followed by Problem 20 | |
| 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | ||
| All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions | ||
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