The reason we do not multiply is because we do not differentiate between the different white balls.
The combination was:
Red, Blue,Green, Yellow and
White1
Red, Blue,Green, Yellow and
White2
Red, Blue,Green, Yellow and
White3
if the white1, white2 and white3 are identical (say we called them all just white), then all the above combinations will be same. Hence we do not consider them as possible options.
Since the question asks how many ways..i'd assume it has how many different ways.
Hope it helps.
winnerhere wrote:"Case 2 - 1 white ball:
Since 1 will be white, we have to choose 2 balls from 5 non-white balls. 5choose2 = 10 "
ankit..a doubt
the numbe rof ways of selecting 1 whiteball and 2 other balls from 3 white balls and 5 other balls of different colours is
3c1 * 5c2 isnt it?
u have just used 5c2 without multiplying it with 3c1...