1. Calculating possible combinations

Hi,
I have a question regarding calculations (that should be relatively simple).
This involves one question on a survey. The question is made up of 17 different subquestions. For each subquestion, there are 5 answers to choose from (Not at all, A little, Moderately, Quite, Extremely).

I was hoping someone could help me figure out how to calculate the number of combinations there are if you're answering all 17 questions with the 5 choices. You can answer any of the questions with any of the answers as many times as is necessary (for instance, a person could answer all 17 questions with "not at all").

It has been suggested the solution would be 5^17. Do you think this is correct?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

2. Re: Calculating possible combinations

that seems right to me.

3. Re: Calculating possible combinations

Originally Posted by Sheesh19
Hi,
I have a question regarding calculations (that should be relatively simple).
This involves one question on a survey. The question is made up of 17 different subquestions. For each subquestion, there are 5 answers to choose from (Not at all, A little, Moderately, Quite, Extremely). [/COLOR]

If we assume that each question must be answered with one of the options then yes it is $5^{17}$.

If questions can be skipped then the answer is $6^{17}$.