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Permutation and Combination - March 23, 2004

The GMAT Sample Math question for the day is from the topic Permutation and Combination.

Question
In how many ways can 5 letters be posted in 3 post boxes, if any number of letters can be posted in all of the three post boxes?

A. 5 C 3

B. 5 P 3

C. 53

D. 35

E. 25

The correct choice is (D) and the correct answer is 35.

Explanatory Answer
The first letter can be posted in any of the 3 post boxes. Therefore, it has 3 choices.

Similarly, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth letter can each be posted in any of the 3 post boxes.

Therefore, the total number of ways the 5 letters can be posted in 3 boxes is 3*3*3*3*3
= 35
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