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#1 2013-01-09 15:16:18
- infinitebrain
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Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hi guys again! I need help with this problem:
Berry Kold Creamery has four flavors of ice cream: vanilla, pistachio,black walnut, and strawberry.The daily sundae has three scoops of ice cream. How many variations of the sundae are there?
I don't need the numerical answer, I would just like how you would set the combination for the question to solve it.
Thanks!
Edited to explain more clearly, I hope this helps bobbym
Last edited by infinitebrain (2013-01-09 16:04:02)
The best thing about life is you don't know what to expect
#2 2013-01-09 15:29:20
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hi;
I am not understanding the terminology.
A creamery has four flavors.The daily sundae has three scoops.
Four flavors of ice cream? Three scoops of what?
If you just want 3 scoops of the 4 flavors then there are
different types.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#3 2013-01-10 15:34:52
- cooljackiec
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
The total ways of getting a three scoop cone would be:
This is because we can get multiple stuff of one flavor.
I see you have graph paper.
You must be plotting something
#4 2013-01-10 16:00:15
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hi cooljackie;
It is not that simple, there are 64 different sundaes if the order of the scoops counts 4 x 4 x 4 = 64 but only 20 if the order does not count.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#5 2013-01-10 19:13:40
- bob bundy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
hi
Berry Kold Creamery has four flavors of ice cream: vanilla, pistachio,black walnut, and strawberry.The daily sundae has three scoops of ice cream. How many variations of the sundae are there?
To me, this means you can buy an ice cream called a daily sundae, which means you get three scoops of ice cream. You can choose the flavours for your scoops: so you could have all three different; or have some repeats. Order of repeats wouldn't matter; how you eat them is independent of the purchase order! 
So I'll split the problem according to how many repeats.
(i) No repeats: I can choose 4, then 3 then 2 = 4C3 = 4
VPW; VPS; VWS; PWS
(ii) Two the same, third different: Choose the repeat in 4 ways, choose the one different 3 = 12
VVP; VVW; VVS; PPv; PPW; PPS; WWV; WWP; WWS; SSV; SSP; SSW.
(iii) All three the same. = 4
VVV; PPP; WWW; SSS
Total = 4 +12 + 4 = 20
Bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#6 2013-01-10 23:35:24
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Interestingly enough, the solution is also 6C3
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#8 2013-01-11 06:02:06
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
I actually got the solution 6C3 from using a GF:
Last edited by anonimnystefy (2013-01-11 10:35:06)
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#9 2013-01-11 06:07:08
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Until infinitebrain gives a little more...
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#10 2013-01-11 07:07:54
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hm?
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#11 2013-01-11 07:10:43
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
If order counts? If he wants different scoops or not.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#12 2013-01-11 07:31:02
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
He does not. That is how you choose ice-cream scoops...
Last edited by anonimnystefy (2013-01-11 07:31:38)
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#13 2013-01-11 08:28:52
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
He does not what?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#14 2013-01-11 08:33:06
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
He does not want it without repetitions.
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#15 2013-01-11 09:11:02
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Then don't you think 64 is the answer as I said above?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#16 2013-01-11 09:16:35
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
No, because you count vanilla, vanilla, strawberry combination 3 times! Order does not count.
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#17 2013-01-11 09:17:50
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
That is very good! So you agree with my answer of 20 in post #4 for when order does not count.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#18 2013-01-11 09:22:56
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Yes!
Look at post #8.
Last edited by anonimnystefy (2013-01-11 09:23:24)
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#19 2013-01-11 09:34:51
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
I know, I saw it. It is very good.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#20 2013-01-11 09:45:17
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
And very simple...
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#21 2013-01-11 09:51:43
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hi;
Have you actually expanded your gf from post #8?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#22 2013-01-11 10:35:28
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Fixed it. I had my GFs mixed.
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#23 2013-01-11 10:41:07
- bobbym
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Hi;
Looking good!
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#24 2013-01-11 10:57:53
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Thanks!
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#25 2013-03-09 11:34:03
- infinitebrain
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Re: Combinatoric/Probability Problem
Oh yes thanks guys for this! 
Thanks to you and a little more studying I figured it out!
The best thing about life is you don't know what to expect