# Thread: I've got 4 balls and 4 boxes - explain how I work out the number of arrangements

1. ## I've got 4 balls and 4 boxes - explain how I work out the number of arrangements

I have 4 balls, numbered 1-4 or different colours - basically 4 balls all different.

I have a box - I'll call it my universe.

In this box I can arrange the balls

12
34

23
14

and so on. NO REPEATS are allowed.

How do I calculate - with an explanation - how many different arrangements I have.

I think the answer should be 16.

Can anyone explain?

2. Hello, rintelen!

$\text{I have 4 distinct balls, and I have a box.}$

$\text{In this box I can arrange the balls: }\;\boxed{\begin{array}{c}12\\34 \end{array}} \qquad \boxed{\begin{array}{c}23\\14\end{array}} \quad \text{ and so on.}$

$\text{How do I calculate how many different arrangements I can have.?}$

$\text{I think the answer should be 16.}$ . . . . no

For ball #1, there are 4 choices for its position.
For ball #2, there are 3 choices for its position.
For ball #3, there are 2 choices for its position.
For ball #4, there is 1 choice for its position.

Therefore, there are: . $4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 \:=\:24$ arrangements.

3. ## Not according to Max Tegmark

THe reason why I asked this is that I saw this article by Max Tegmark. According to him 16 is the answer. I cannot imagine a physicist getting it wrong. I've copied below what he wrote. He also draws a diagram...not shown here. What am I missing from this description - in understanding - that gives him 16 arrangements? I don't get it.

EXAMPLE UNIVERSE

Imagine a two-dimensional universe with space for four particles.

Such a universe has 2^4, or 16, possible arrangements of matter.
If more than 16 of these universes exist, they must begin to

repeat. In this example, the distance to the nearest duplicate is

roughly four times the diameter of each universe.

4. Originally Posted by rintelen
THe reason why I asked this is that I saw this article by Max Tegmark. According to him 16 is the answer. I cannot imagine a physicist getting it wrong. I've copied below what he wrote. He also draws a diagram...not shown here. What am I missing from this description - in understanding - that gives him 16 arrangements? I don't get it.

EXAMPLE UNIVERSE

Imagine a two-dimensional universe with space for four particles.

Such a universe has 2^4, or 16, possible arrangements of matter.
If more than 16 of these universes exist, they must begin to

repeat. In this example, the distance to the nearest duplicate is

roughly four times the diameter of each universe.
A Physicist wrong about a Math problem? Never!

Anyway, I suspect the diagram is limiting some of the possibilities that Soroban is counting. I don't suppose you could describe it?

-Dan

5. Originally Posted by rintelen
Max Tegmark EXAMPLE UNIVERSE
Imagine a two-dimensional universe with space for four particles.
Such a universe has 2^4, or 16, possible arrangements of matter.
If more than 16 of these universes exist, they must begin to
repeat. In this example, the distance to the nearest duplicate is
roughly four times the diameter of each universe.
I have absolutely no knowledge of physics.
However, if he means that there are four particles that have binary states, on or off, then $2^4=16$ makes sense.
(Physicist Edward Fredkin, has a metaphysics/ontology built on that model.)

On the other hand, if each of the four must be in one of four positions then the answwer is $4!=24$.

6. ## Looking at the diagram it shows this

It looks as if what he's describing is being able to put 4 particles in any combination within 4 boxes

so for example: white and grey particles - are shown in the diagram. So perhaps he's saying 4 particles but two one kind and two of another?

white, white
grey, white

grey, white
grey, grey

and so on.

So perhaps I misread it. He didn't say that though!

7. Originally Posted by rintelen
It looks as if what he's describing is being able to put 4 particles in any combination within 4 boxes
so for example: white and grey particles - are shown in the diagram. So perhaps he's saying 4 particles but two one kind and two of another?
white, white
grey, white

grey, white
grey, grey

and so on.
In this model the data points are binary: gray or white.
So $2^4=16$ is correct.

8. ## Are you able to explain how this is worked out then please?

Hi Okay, are you able to tell me how one gets to the 2 to the power of 16 with this particular situation please?

THe formula used, why and how please?

9. Originally Posted by rintelen
Hi Okay, are you able to tell me how one gets to the 2 to the power of 16 with this particular situation please? THe formula used, why and how please?
Where in the "H__" did you get $2^{16}~?$
Where is that ever mentioned in any reply?
Are you trolling this site?
If so, why?
We are really trying to provide a service.
Are you mocking us?