Claudia can choose any two of four different candles and any 8 of 9 different flowers for a centerpiece arrangement. Given these choices, how many candle + flower groupings can she select?
A. 54
B. 72
C. 96
D. 144
E. 432
[spoiler]OA=A[/spoiler]
Source: Magoosh
Claudia can choose any two of four different candles and any
This topic has expert replies
-
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:04 pm
There are 4 different candles and she has to choose 2 out of them.
So, total combinations = $$_4C_2$$ = 6
Similarly, she has to choose 8 out of 9 flowers.
So, total combinations = $$_9C_8$$ = 9
Finally, the total grouping for candle + flower will be 9 * 6 = 54
So, total combinations = $$_4C_2$$ = 6
Similarly, she has to choose 8 out of 9 flowers.
So, total combinations = $$_9C_8$$ = 9
Finally, the total grouping for candle + flower will be 9 * 6 = 54
GMAT/MBA Expert
- [email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi M7MBA,
We're told that Claudia can choose any two of four different candles and any 8 of 9 different flowers for a centerpiece arrangement. We're asked for the number of candle + flower groupings she can select. When choosing 'groups' of items, the order of your choices does NOT matter, meaning that we can use the Combination Formula to approach this question (although we'll have to use it more than once).
Combination Formula = N!/K!(N-K)! where N is the total number of items and K is the number that you will pick.
We have 4 candles and we are choosing 2.... 4c2 = 4!/2!2! = (4)(3)/(2)(1) = 6 possible groups of candles
We have 9 flowers and we are choosing 8.... 9c8 = 9!/8!1! = (9)/(1) = 9 possible groups of flowers
Thus, there are (6)(9) = 54 possible groups of candles+flowers.
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
We're told that Claudia can choose any two of four different candles and any 8 of 9 different flowers for a centerpiece arrangement. We're asked for the number of candle + flower groupings she can select. When choosing 'groups' of items, the order of your choices does NOT matter, meaning that we can use the Combination Formula to approach this question (although we'll have to use it more than once).
Combination Formula = N!/K!(N-K)! where N is the total number of items and K is the number that you will pick.
We have 4 candles and we are choosing 2.... 4c2 = 4!/2!2! = (4)(3)/(2)(1) = 6 possible groups of candles
We have 9 flowers and we are choosing 8.... 9c8 = 9!/8!1! = (9)/(1) = 9 possible groups of flowers
Thus, there are (6)(9) = 54 possible groups of candles+flowers.
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Scott@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 7274
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Thanked: 43 times
- Followed by:29 members
M7MBA wrote:Claudia can choose any two of four different candles and any 8 of 9 different flowers for a centerpiece arrangement. Given these choices, how many candle + flower groupings can she select?
A. 54
B. 72
C. 96
D. 144
E. 432
[spoiler]OA=A[/spoiler]
Source: Magoosh
The number of possible groupings is:
4C2 x 9C8 = (4 x 3)/2 x 9 = 6 x 9 = 54
Answer: A
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews