2 sizes of sticky pads. Each has 4 colors - Blue, Green, Yellow, and Purple. The pads are packed in packages that contain either 3 notepads of same size and same color or 3 notepads of same size and of 3 different colors. How many different packages of the types described are possible?
a. 6
b. 8
c. 16
d. 24
e. 32
Using the slots method - I WANT TO CONFIRM SOMETHING urgently as test is in two days
same size, same color package
number of ways the sizes can be picked for 3 pads 2*1*1 = 2
number of ways colors can be picked for 3 pads 4*1*1=4
Here is the QUESTION
In this problem, it is stated that the order of the colors doesn't matter. The reason we DON'T divide "number of ways colors can be picked for the 3 pads", which is 4 by 3! is b/c here we are picking the same color three times -- so it is essentially the same item.
However, when we get to the second pacakage...and we are picking colors...since we are picking 3 different colors for the 3 pads, we do divide by 3! b/c BGY is the same as BYG or YGB etc.
Correct?
Thanks.
a. 6
b. 8
c. 16
d. 24
e. 32
Using the slots method - I WANT TO CONFIRM SOMETHING urgently as test is in two days
same size, same color package
number of ways the sizes can be picked for 3 pads 2*1*1 = 2
number of ways colors can be picked for 3 pads 4*1*1=4
Here is the QUESTION
In this problem, it is stated that the order of the colors doesn't matter. The reason we DON'T divide "number of ways colors can be picked for the 3 pads", which is 4 by 3! is b/c here we are picking the same color three times -- so it is essentially the same item.
However, when we get to the second pacakage...and we are picking colors...since we are picking 3 different colors for the 3 pads, we do divide by 3! b/c BGY is the same as BYG or YGB etc.
Correct?
Thanks.

















