Final answer:
To find the number of possible 8-topping pizzas from a selection of 12 toppings, we can use the combinations formula C(n, k) = n! / (k!(n-k)!). The calculation yields 495 different 8-topping pizzas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to calculate the number of different 8 topping pizzas possible from a choice of 12 toppings. This problem can be solved using the concept of combinations from combinatorics, which is a part of mathematics that deals with counting combinations and permutations. The mathematical formula for combinations is given by:
C(n, k) = n! / (k!(n-k)!), where n is the total number of toppings available, and k is the number of toppings we want on our pizza, and '!' represents factorial. Since the order of toppings doesn't matter, we use the combination formula:
C(12, 8) = 12! / (8!(12-8)!) = 495.
Therefore, there are 495 different ways to choose 8 toppings from 12 options, meaning there are 495 different 8 topping pizzas possible.