GMAT Quant - Permutation and Combination
March 23, 2004
In how many ways can 5 letters be posted in 3 post boxes, if any number of letters can be posted in all of the three post boxes?
| (A) | 5 C 3 |
| (B) | 5 P 3 |
| (C) | 53 |
| (D) | 35 |
| (E) | 25 |
Correct choice (D) Correct Answer (35)
Solution:
Explanatory Answer
The first letter can be posted in any of the 3 post boxes. Therefore, it has 3 choices.
Similarly, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth letter can each be posted in any of the 3 post boxes.
Therefore, the total number of ways the 5 letters can be posted in 3 boxes is 3*3*3*3*3
= 35
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