A menu has 3 starters, 5 mains and 2 desserts, how many meals

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Counting choices · Probability

Step by step

Question: There are 3 starters, 5 mains and 2 desserts.

How many meals can be made with one of each?

Every choice goes with every other choice.

So we multiply them all: 3 × 5 × 2.

meals = 3 × 5 × 2

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

counting principle:

multiply the choices

Careful!

We do not add the choices.

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

Careful: not 3 + 5 + 2 = 10 ✗

3 times 5 is 15.

15 times 2 is 30.

3 × 5 = 15

15 × 2 = 30

So there are 30 meals.

meals = 30

Let's check in another order.

First 5 times 2 is 10.

5 × 2 = 10

Then 3 times 10 is 30.

The same.

So the answer is right!

3 × 10 = 30

Let's look back.

First: count the choices.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.

Answer

meals = 30

Try this one yourself, then check:

Show the answer

meals = 60