Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes the counting principle?

1. The counting principle lets you add the number of options per category to find the total number of possible outcomes.

2. The counting principle lets you divide the number of options per category to find the total number of possible outcomes.

3. The counting principle lets you multiply the number of options per category to find the total number of possible outcomes.

4. The counting principle lets you subtract the number of options per category to find the total number of possible outcomes.

Answer 1

Answer: A3. The counting principle lets you multiply

The fundamental counting principle is a method for determining how many ways that a combination of events can occur. For example, if the first event can occur 2 ways, the second event can occur 3 ways, and the third event can occur 4 ways, then you can find out the number of unique combinations by multiplying: 2 * 3 * 4 = 24 unique combinations.

This multiplication method works any time you have several options or criteria like color, shape, and design and each of those factors can be combined with each other in any way possible.