2 breads, 3 meats and 4 sauces, how many sandwiches

Step by step

The question

Question: There are 2 breads, 3 meats and 4 sauces.

How many sandwiches can be made with one of each?

1 Count the choices

2 Multiply

Every choice goes with every other choice.

So we multiply them all: 2 × 3 × 4.

This is the counting principle: multiply the number of choices.

Careful!

We do not add the choices.

Every choice goes with every other one, so we multiply.

2 times 3 is 6.

6 times 4 is 24.

So there are 24 sandwiches.

3 Check

Let's check in another order.

First 3 times 4 is 12.

Then 2 times 12 is 24.

The same.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: count the choices.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.